THE 

STORY OF JESUS 

AS TOLD BY 

GRANDFATHER JOHN 



ALICE HAMILTON RICH 



L8BRARY OF CONGRESS 



00D101t.D73A 



'^ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

BTso a 

Cliap. Copyright Xo. 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



THE STORY OF JESUS 

AS TOLD BY 

GRANDFATHER JOHN 



f 



THE BOY CHRIST 



THE 

STORY OF JESUS 

AS TOLD BY 

GRANDFATHER JOHN 



ALICE HAMILTON RICH 



CHICAGO 

R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS CO. 

1900 



84251. 



Library of Congresa 

Iwo Cones Received 
DEC 5 1900 

CopyrjHit 6iitry 

SECOND COPY 

0«<(vfr8d to 

OROeft DIVISION 
DEC 101900 






Copyright, 1900 
By ALICE HAMILTON RICH 



The litt»»ARY 



v\'Abi-aNG'roN 






^ 

^ 

V 



THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED 

TO THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH I HAVE LOVED 

AND TAUGHT, WITH THE HOPE 

THAT IT MAY BE FOUND HELPFUL TO 

PARENTS AND TEACHERS 

IN TELLING THE STORY OF JESUS. 

—ALICE HAMILTON RICH. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER 
I. 
II. 

III. 

IV. 
V. 

VI. 

VII. 

VIII. 

IX. 

X. 

XI. 

XII. 

XIII. 

XIV. 

XV. 

XVI. 

XVII. 

XVIII. 

XIX. 

XX. 

XXI. 

XXII. 

XXIII. 

XXIV. 

XXV. 

XXVI. 

XXVII. 



How THE Story Came to be Told. 

The Story Begun in the Words of Aunt 

Mary -..-.. 
The Story Continued in the Words of 

Uncle David - . . . 

Aunt Mary and her Baby in the Temple - 
The Story of the Wise Men, as Told by 

ElHANAN ----- 

The Story of the Wise Men, as Told by 
Mary . - ^ - . - 

Grandfather John's Boyhood 
The Boy Jesus in the Temple - 
At the Jordan - - . - - 

In the Wilderness . . - . 

The First Disciples - - - - 

The Wedding - - - - 

The Temple Cleansed 
At the Well . - . . 

The Sermon on the Mount - 
" Little Maid, Arise " - 
A Wonderful Day . . . _ 

The Transfiguration - - . . 

"Suffer the Little Children" - 
The Entry into Jerusalem 
In the Temple, and at Bethany - 
The Last Supper - - - - - 

GeTHSEMANE ----- 

Condemned - - - - 

Crucified . - - - . 

"I Have Seen the Lord" 
"Peace be with You" 



PAGE 

9 

15 

22 

32 
41 

53 

63 

70 

80 

88 

98 

106 

116 

125 

136 

150 

160 

167 

172 

178 

195 
205 
215 
225 
239 
249 
258 



THE STORY OF JESUS 



CHAPTER I 

HOW THE STORY CAME TO BE TOLD 

Once upon a time, many, many years ago, 
upon the eastern slope of a hill a mile and a half 
outside of the city of Ephesus, there was gathered 
under the shade of an oak tree a group of per- 
sons, which you and I, dear readers, will join. 

The central figure is that of an old, old man, 
with long curling locks of white hair, deep blue 
eyes, and a face which, while it shows many 
wrinkles, has yet a softened look, as if the angel 
of Patience, having drawn her brush over them 
with a tender hand, has also left nestled in their 
corners her kisses of love and peace. Clothed 
in a long, flowing robe of white Hnen from the 
crown of his head to the toe of his sandaled foot, 
he looks a man of snow, the only touch of color 
being the deep blue of his eyes, which seem more 
deeply blue in contrast with the overhanging 
eyebrows of snowy white. 

9 



lo THE STORY OF JESUS 

His eyes are like to violets twin 
The early months of springtime hide 
In sheltered nooks, which yet the sun 
Seeks out, with kiss of tender love. 
While on the overhanging rocks 
Are banks of winter's snows. 

A child scarce more than a babe is combing 
the soft fringe of white hair on his forehead with 
her slender fingers, or playing hide-and-seek with 
her dimpled arms in the waves of snow that roll 
down over his shoulders. 

See ! the old man catches her hands in his, and 
folding her to his bosom, kisses her once, twice, 
thrice. ''The first kiss, my Miriam, is for thy- 
self, the second for thy mother, and the last and 
sweetest of all, for thy grandmother, for whom 
thou wert named," and a gentle sigh and a far- 
away look in the deep eyes, show that the old 
man has forgotten the beautiful child in the 
memory of the wife of his youth. 

But here a chorus of voices cry out, ''Grand- 
father John, please tell us again the story of your 
childhood days!" "And, dear grandfather," 
adds another, "please tell us also your Aunt 
Mary's story of the baby Jesus!" "And the 
story of your shepherd uncle's vision of angels !" 
says another. "And of the Christ star !" pleads 
the little one on his bosom. 

As the children crowd around him, begging 



HOW THE STORY CAME TO BE TOLD 1 1 

for their story, we will take this time to call each 
one by name. 

Miriam has a sister Judith, a girl twelve years 
of age, who is as modest and sedate as Miriam is 
volatile and frolicsome. Then her brothers, 
James and Andrew, are boys of fourteen and 
seventeen. There are also two others, Alex and 
Doris, whose deHcately cut features and fair com- 
plexions show them to be either Greeks or of 
Greek ancestry. The olive complexions and 
Jewish features of the others proclaim them to 
be Jews. That in their friendship for each other 
there is neither Jew nor Greek, is shown by the 
clasping of hands of Judith and Doris, as they 
seat themselves at the feet of Grandfather John, 
after a loving rivalry as to which of them shall 
bring, from the home near by, the softest cushion 
for the use of their best beloved. 

Gathering Miriam to his bosom, the girls at 
his feet, and the boys, Alex, James, and Andrew, 
stretched in boyish and unconscious grace on the 
ground, Grandfather John begins his old, old 
story. 

"My dear children, you have often heard me 
speak of my father and mother, and my brother 
James. How well I remember how proud we 
were to be called Zebedee's children, for our 
father was a man of mark and goodly repute 



12 THE STORY OF JESUS 

among his brethren, and our mother, Salome, 
was, as our father used to say, with a loving look 
turned to mother, one of those women of whom 
Solomon wrote, 'The heart of her husband doth 
safely trust in her,' and it was no less to be proved 
true in after years, that her children were to rise 
up and call her blessed. Ah, mother! mother! 
your boy John brought you many hours of 
anxiety ; for I was a quick-tempered lad in those 
days, heedless, at times, of my father's laws and 
mother's wishes. I did not always care to study 
the law and the prophets, even on the Sabbath 
day, but liked better to dream dreams beside the 
sea of Galilee, or skip stones on the surface of the 
water, although this I did but once on the Sab- 
bath. The sacred hours were nearly over, and 
father was reading the Psalm of David, begin- 
ning, 'The heavens declare the glory of God and 
the firmament showeth his handiwork,' when I 
was permitted to go down to the lake, after my 
mother had begged that privilege for me, of my 
father. Walking along the shore, I found a 
smooth pebble just right for skipping; almost 
before I thought, it flew out over the water, 
dipping five times before it sank into the lake. 
"With the last dip, I heard my mother's voice, 
'Joh-on, Joh-on !' I shall never forget the sound 
of her voice as she called me by name. There 



HOW THE STORY CAME TO BE TOLD 13 

was a tremble in it, and as I looked up into her 
face I saw the tears in my mother's eyes, and 
knew what had broken my one-syllabled name 
into two — 'Joh-on.' 

"I never skipped another stone on the Sab- 
bath day. My father and mother had been 
reared in keeping the Sabbath in the strictest 
sense of the word, as given by the law of Moses. 
Mother lived to learn from the Lord of Sabbath, 
,that the Sabbath was made for man, and not man 
for the Sabbath, but father died before those 
words were spoken." 

"Why, grandfather!" exclaims Judith, ''do 
you mean to say that Jesus did not teach we 
ought to remember the Sabbath day to keep it 
holy?" 

''Not so, my child, but rather that men ought 
to do well on the Sabbath day, and not as the 
Pharisees, consider that unlawful which would 
be an act of mercy." 

"But, grandfather," says James, "I thought 
you were to give us Aunt Mary's story of the 
baby Jesus." 

"So I was, my boy, but when I begin to talk 
of my early days, so many little scenes come 
before me, that I pause to speak of them, instead 
of keeping to my story ; just as you, Judith, when 
sent with your water-pot to the well, paused so 



14 THE STORY OF JESUS 

many times to gather lilies of the field, that 
James, who was waiting for you at the well, to 
help you draw the water, became weary of wait- 
ing, and, as the well was deep and you had no one 
to draw the water, you returned with an empty 
water-pot." 

Judith blushes as she remembers the incident, 
and the old man continues : ''I am an old man 
now, still tarrying for the Master to come for me, 
and if I tell you once more the long story of my 
life and that of my blessed Master, you must be 
content to let me ramble on like Judith on the 
way to the well, picking up a pebble here by the 
seaside and plucking a rose of Sharon and lily of 
the valley by the wayside." Here the old man 
smiles lovingly upon the girl, as if to remove all 
possible hurt from his gentle rebuke to Judith for 
loitering on her way to the well on the day before. 



CHAPTER II 

THE STORY BEGUN IN THE WORDS OF AUNT MARY 

"After my Aunt Mary came to my own home 
and I became to her as a son, she talked much of 
Jesus, and loved specially to tell us of his baby- 
hood. I also sometimes heard her talk with my 
mother of the visit of the angel of Annunciation. 
When she spoke of this visit, her face would light 
up with a glory not of earth, as she repeated the 
message of the angel. 'Hail, blessed art thou 
among women/ and she would turn to mother 
and say, 'Salome, I was blessed, am blessed, and 
shall be blessed forevermore, for this my child 
Jesus shall save his people from their sins.' " 

As he pauses for a moment, Doris exclaims, 
"Please tell us, grandfather, of the trip from 
Nazareth to Bethlehem." 

"I was about to do so, my dear, but to under- 
stand it properly, I will explain that according to 
Roman law all country people were required to 
be registered in the town to which their place or 
village belonged. The Jewish mode called for 
an enrollment according to tribes, families, clans, 

15 



1 6 THE STORY OF JESUS 

and house of their fathers. So my Uncle Joseph, 
with Mary, left Nazareth, and went up to Beth- 
lehem, to be taxed. 

''Aunt Mary used to say : 'It was a long, weary 
three days' journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, 
and as we drew near the place which was ever 
afterward to be the place of all the world dearest 
to me, the short winter's day also drew to its close, 
and a feeling of comfort and restfulness crept 
over me. Though it was winter, the green and 
silvery foliage of the olive, the delicate pink of 
the almond, and the darker coloring of the peach 
buds spoke to my heart of opening springtime, 
and a sweet sense that the Lord was my Shepherd 
and I should not want, came over me. Joseph 
rejoiceS with me, and together we entered the 
town of Bethlehem, seeking anxiously where we 
might tarry until our names should be registered 
and we be permitted to return to our home in 
Nazareth. There being no room for us in the 
inn, the best the good man of the house could 
do for us was to give us a clean place where the 
cattle were stabled. I was very weary, and 
Joseph spread his mantle over the straw, and 
bidding me have sweet rest, went outside the 
stable; and on his return, a kind neighbor from 
near our own home sent by him a savory mess of 
pottage from her own scanty store, by which I 



THE STORY BEGUN 17 

was greatly refreshed, and my soul did magnify 
the Lord for his goodness unto me. 

" That night Jesus was born in Bethlehem of 
Judea, for thus it was written by the prophets : 
"And thou Bethlehem in the land of Judah art 
not the least among the princes of Judah, for out 
of thee shall come a Governor that shall rule my 
people Israel." 

'' 'I wrapped my baby Jesus in swaddling- 
clothes, and laid him in a manger. The fragrance 
of the new hay was sweet; and the boy was 
very beautiful in his wrappings of white linen. 
Salome, you know how dear to me ever since 
has been the breath of new hay, and how kindly 
the soft eyes of the cattle have ever since looked 
into mine. The low of the cattle was the lullaby 
of my first-born, their odorous breath and the 
fragrance of the hay the perfume which made my 
baby Jesus' manger a cradle like unto a bed of 
spices in a garden of Hlies. 

'' T have spoken of a neighbor who sent at the 
hand of Joseph the pottage which so nourished 
my body and revived my fainting spirits. This 
same neighbor, the good Abigail, came to me at 
the call of Joseph, and with her sisterly hands 
ministered to fay wants, as far as our scanty store 
of goods would allow. Never was woman's face 
so welcome as hers, for Joseph, in his great love 



iS THE STORY OF JESUS 

for me, and sorrow that this love could provide 
for me only a stable, and a manger to cradle my 
babe, scarce knew what to do for our comfort, 
nor could he reconcile this lowly birth of the 
child Jesus with the word of the Lord which came 
to him in a dream, 'They shall call his name Im- 
manuel, which being interpreted is, 'God with 
us.'^ While Joseph sorrowed over these things, 
my own soul became filled with an exaltation of 
blessedness I could not express, and before the 
morning dawned, my faith was justified in the 
eyes of Joseph, and his own wavering faith made 
steadfast ; and he rejoiced with me that the "Lord 
our God had regarded the low estate of his hand- 
maiden," and that from henceforth all genera- 
tions should call me blessed.' " 

As the old man pauses, either weary from his 
long speech, or with unutterable thoughts in his 
heart, Doris runs to the water-pot, which stands 
under the shade of an olive shrub near by, and 
filling a gourd with water, quickly brings it to 
him, saying, "Have a drink, dear grandfather, 
while Judith takes the sleeping Miriam from your 
arms, for you must be weary holding her." 

At her words, Judith tenderly lifts her little 
sister, and bearing her to a cool place beside the 
water-pot of stone, lays her down to rest. As 
Grandfather John yields his precious burden, he 



THE STORY BEGUN 19 

leaves a soft kiss on her brow, and Judith does 
Hkewise ere she returns to the group beneath the 
oak, to find that the boys have taken this time to 
see which can run the most quickly to the foot 
of the hill and return. Glowing from their race, 
Andrew having outrun Alex and James, they 
settle down upon the earth; and the girls, after 
rearranging the cushions and tenderly asking if 
there be aught else they may do for their dear 
grandfather, are again in an attitude of attention. 

As the old man still seems in a dream, they 
wait respectfully for a few moments, until James, 
becoming impatient, arouses him with, ''Grand- 
father, you were about to tell us of the visit of 
the shepherds to see the young child and Mary, 
his mother." 

"Or was it the Wise Men of the East?" in- 
quires Andrew, 

Rousing from his dream, if indeed it is a 
dream, and not a looking-forward into the 
blessedness in waiting for him, Grandfather John 
continues : 

"The story of the shepherds is best told in the 
words of my great-uncles, David and Jonathan, 
and we will leave their story until to-morrow, 
when we will again gather at this our dear old 
tree"; and the old man looks up affectionately 
into the overhanging branches, wherein for hun- 



20 THE STORY OF JESUS 

dreds of years the birds of the air have found a 
resting-place for their young. "However, I will 
continue a little further in the words of Aunt 
Mary, the story of the night. 

'' 'At the early dawn, as the babe slept upon 
my bosom, I heard a sound as of the coming of 
feet, and there entered tlncle David and Uncle 
Jonathan, who, as you know, were keepers of the 
Temple flock, around the watch-tower Migdal 
Eder, near to the town of Bethlehem, on the road 
to Jerusalem. 

" 'They came in with haste, and were surprised 
to find me, their mother's sister's child, also 
Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. They 
told us a wonderful tale of the vision of angels, 
the song of peace and good-will to men, and of 
their eager night's journey to see, as they said, 
''this thing which has come to pass, which the 
Lord hath made known unto us." 

" 'When uncles David and Jonathan had de- 
parted, Joseph and I talked these things over, 
and his faith being strengthened, he rejoiced 
greatly, while I kept all these things and pon- 
dered them in my heart. 

" 'A few days later, we were again surprised 
by a visit from the Wise Men of the East.' But 
this, dear children," added Grandfather John, "I 
will give you at another time, also in the words of 



THE STORY BEGUN 21 

my beloved Aunt Mary, as given to mother and 
myself in those sorrowfully happy days when we 
abode together, after our Lord went unto His 
Father. 

'It is now time for us to separate, as I see by 
the sign upon yonder dial that it is nearing the 
noon hour, and your mother, Judith, will require 
your help in preparing the noon meal, and An- 
drew and James will be needed to gather sticks 
for cooking the cakes; and, no doubt, your 
mother, Alex and Doris, is already shading her 
eyes from the sun, as she looks over the ravine 
from your home on the hill-slope, toward the 
city, waiting for your coming." 

As the children dutifully hasten away, leaving 
the still sleeping Miriam in the shade near by, 
Grandfather John rests his head against the trunk 
of the tree, and is soon sleeping as peacefully as 
Miriam, and who shall say that "the angels who 
do always behold the face of my Father who art 
in Heaven" do not keep watch equally over the 
childHke old man and the sleeping babe? 



CHAPTER III 

THE STORY CONTINUED IN THE WORDS OF 
UNCLE DAVID 

It is a beautiful morning in the yet early sum- 
mer, and again Grandfather John and his chil- 
dren are gathered at the old oak tree. It is yet 
early, and the sun, a great globe of light, is send- 
ing long streamers of red and gold over the 
mountains into the waters of the Cayster. 

At anchor in the harbor are two ships, one 
from Smyrna and another from Miletus. In the 
distance may be seen the two rivers Hermus and 
Mseander, winding through fertile valleys west- 
ward, on their way to the yEgean Sea; while 
nowhere in all the world do the rays of the sun 
fall upon so wonderful a work of art as the Tem- 
ple of Diana, which stands in the center of the 
city. It is the triumph of Ionic architecture. 
It is of magnificent proportions, its decorations 
exquisite in design and execution. The statue 
itself is supposed to have fallen from heaven, and 
the women of Ephesus have contributed their 
richest jewels to the adornment of the goddess, 



THE STORY CONTINUED 23 

while the most beautiful young girls minister at 
her shrine. 

As the sun rises higher over the mountain- 
tops, the temple glitters from dome, tower, and 
pinnacles, with such radiant brilliancy that one 
involuntarily shades his eyes from the too great 
glory of its magnificence. 

As Grandfather John gathers his loved ones 
about him, after a long look at this scene, he gives 
a deep sigh which becomes an audible moan, as, 
stretching out his arms over the city, he exclaims, 
"Beloved city, would to God that thou couldst 
understand 'that the world passeth away, but he 
that doeth the will of God abideth forever !' " 

''Grandfather," says James, "is it indeed true 
that this great city of Ephesus shall pass away? 
See how strong its foundations are laid, and the 
wealth of the world is brought in tribute and 
honor unto it." 

As if the spirit of Esaias the prophet had come 
upon him, the old man lifts his arms, and, stretch- 
ing them over the city, exclaims, "Behold the 
Lord maketh the earth empty and maketh it 
waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth 
abroad the inhabitants thereof !" 

After a moment's silence. Grandfather John 
turns to the thoughtful boy at his side, and with 
a loving look, lays his hand upon his head, say- 



24 THE STORY OF JESUS 

ing, "My dear Alex, I look to you, when I shall 
hear my Lord call for me, to carry on the work 
of the blessed Master in this beautiful city." 

Silently Alex stands with bowed head, while 
a still more thoughtful look creeps over his face. 
As if moved by one impulse, the children come 
close to the side of the old man, Judith and Doris, 
as usual, with arms around each other's waists, 
Miriam clinging to the skirts of grandfather's 
mantle, the restless Andrew, and even James, the 
questioner, for the time being, quiet, and with an 
unusual gravity on their faces; all with reverent 
bowed heads wait for the customary morning 
blessing, 'Xittle children, keep yourselves from 
idols. Let us not love in word, neither in tongue, 
but in deed and in truth." 

With a happy shout, Andrew and James 
spring to seats on the bending boughs of a young 
tree near by, and the girls find comfortable places 
on the soft turf, while Alex, as if not able to break 
away suddenly from his thoughtful mood, leans 
against the old tree, with his eyes looking far out 
over the city; and Miriam dances away after a 
bright-hued butterfly, while Grandfather John 
seats himself for the continuation of yesterday's 
story. 

"Let me think, dear children, or will you tell 
me what our story is to be this morning?" 



THE STORY CONTINUED 25 

'The story of uncles David and Jonathan," 
says James. 

"What the shepherds saw," says Doris. 

'The vision of angels," exclaims Judith. 

''Well, children, we will begin with the story 
of Uncle David and Uncle Jonathan, who were, 
as you know, Aunt Mary's and my mother's 
uncles, and therefore my great-uncles. To them 
was given the important ofifice of keeping the 
flock, destined for Temple sacrifice, which was 
pastured on the hills near Jerusalem. They 
were not ordinary shepherds, but devout men 
who looked with longing eyes for the coming of 
the Messiah. They were twin brothers, and 
their mother, Deborah, had named them David 
and Jonathan, for she said, 'I would that their 
love for each other should be greater than that of 
brothers, and that the spirit of David and Jona- 
than of old should be upon them, and indeed, 
her wish had in part been realized, for from child- 
hood where one was to be found, the other was 
never far away. Deborah read to them of the 
shepherd king, and of the love Jonathan bore 
unto him, and very early in life they learned to 
keep the sheep of their Grandfather Joshua. 
They knew the Psalms of David by heart, and 
could sing them and play upon the harp before 
they were grown to man's stature. Being de- 



26 THE STORY OF JESUS 

vout Jews of good lineage, it was not strange that 
they should have been chosen to keep the sacred 
flock. My mother used to say that for years they 
had believed that the time was near at hand for 
the coming of Messiah, that the prophecies were 
about to be fulfilled in the birth of a Saviour. 

*'You have heard Aunt Mary's story of the 
birthnight of the child Jesus, and now, as nearly 
as I can remember, I will give you, in Uncle 
David's own words, the story of the shepherds, 
or the vision of angels. Uncle David was more 
often the speaker, although Uncle Jonathan was 
always ready to help when, for any reason. Uncle 
David paused for words or to recall the story. 

" 'On that winter's night,' said Uncle David, 
Ve kept our flock on the hill-slope beyond Beth- 
lehem, above the road which wound its way to 
Jerusalem. As the short day drew to a close, 
your Uncle Jonathan and I called our sheep each 
one by name, and they gathered around us while 
I sang a psalm and Jonathan played the harp. I 
remember it was the Psalm of David, beginning, 
"Preserve me, O God, for in Thee do I put my 
trust," and closing with, "Thou wilt show me 
the path of life; in Thy presence is fullness of 
joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for- 
evermore." 

" 'As we sang, the sheep crowded against our 



THE STORY CONTINUED 27 

knees, and your Uncle Jonathan, who was a 
tender-hearted man, gathered a young lamb into 
his bosom and folded his mantle over it to keep 
it warm, and the lamb slept as sweetly as you, 
John, when a young babe, upon your mother's 
bosom. As I looked upon my brother, I 
thought of the words of Esaias, "He shall feed 
His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the 
lambs in His arms and carry them in His bosom," 
and I repeated the words to my brother, who 
said, "If this is spoken of Messiah, He must be of 
a gentle heart, like unto our shepherd king, 
David," and he added, "Oh, that the time were 
but even now at hand that Messiah should come 
to redeem His people Israel !" 

" 'Scarce were the words spoken, when heaven 
seemed opened and earth shone with a glory un- 
speakable, and an angel, clad in robes of living 
light, stood before us. We fell upon our faces in 
awe and fear, when the angel spoke unto us in a 
voice of infinite sweetness, "Fear not, for behold 
I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall 
be unto all people. For unto you is born this 
day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is 
Christ the Lord." 

" 'At first we were sore afraid, but the angel 
repeated, "Fear not, for behold I bring you good 
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 



28 THE STORY OF JESUS 

For unto you is born this day, in the city of 
David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." 

'' 'In our great joy at the good tidings, we for- 
got our fear and raised ourselves from the 
ground, and Jonathan said in low voice to me, 
"How shall we find this babe?" And the angel 
continued, "And this is a sign unto you. Ye 
shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, 
and lying in a manger," and suddenly there was 
with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, 
praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the 
highest, and on earth peace, good-will to men" ; 
as if a thousand harps with ten thousand strings 
were swept by countless angels' hands, accom- 
panied with innumerable angelic voices. The 
heavenly music was first strong and deep, as if 
the billows from ocean's deepest caverns were 
lifted and rolled upon the rocky shore of earth's 
whole length of sea ; then it died away in gentle 
murmurs, as the breath of zephyrs over invisible 
strings strung from heaven to earth. As we 
leaned forward to catch the last sound of music, 
our hearts grew faint with the sweetness of the 
melody, and our eyes dim with the intentness of 
our gaze. Back, back into immeasurable space 
the angels drew, into the glory of heaven, until 
sight and sense could bear no more, and we sank 



THE STORY CONTINUED 29 

Upon the ground as heaven closed upon earth its 
vision of angels. 

'' 'How long we were insensible we never 
kfiew, but the bleating of the lamb, which had 
fallen from brother Jonathan's bosom, recalled 
him first, and as he called me by name, I saw him 
again lifting the lamb to his bosom, as he said, 
'Traise the Lord for His wonderful works to the 
children of men." ' " 

"Oh, Doris," said Judith, ''if only I could have 
seen this vision !" 

"I dreamed of it one night after grandfather 
had been teUing us the beautiful story," said 
Doris, "and you remember how one evening at 
sunset we thought we did see an angel drawing 
back a crimson-and-gold cloud-curtain, and we 
waited until the crimson and gold faded into gray 
in the sky and dark shadows crept over the earth, 
and the stars came out one by one; yet we saw 
not again what seemed to us the face of an angel, 
and heard no music save the song of birds, the 
trickle of the waterfall over the rocks in the 
ravine, and the flapping of the wings of the 
storks, as they flew over our heads to their nests 
on the towers of the Temple of Diana." 

"You girls are always seeing visions and 
dreaming dreams," says Andrew. "I never saw 



30 THE STORY OF JESUS 

an angel's face in the clouds, nor, I venture, has 
James. I don't know about Alex"; and thus 
appealed to, Alex slightly blushes, as he re- 
sponds, ''I see no reason why the prophecy may 
not be fulfilled, even in our day, that 'your daugh- 
ters should prophesy and your young men see 
visions.' " 

''But, Judith, boys, grandfather is waking 
from his little nap while we have been talking, 
and perhaps he will finish the story of the shep- 
herds before we go to our daily tasks. Grand- 
father," continues Doris, "after the angels de- 
parted, did Uncle David and Uncle Jonathan go 
at once to Bethlehem?" 

"Yes, my child. David said to Jonathan, 
'Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see 
this thing which has come to pass, which the 
Lord hath made known unto us.* " 

"But who cared for the flock while they were 
gone?" asked Andrew. 

"There were two under shepherds, and to 
them was given the charge, with many instruc- 
tions to be faithful during their absence. 

"But to continue in Uncle David's words: 
'Over the hills and down through the valleys we 
hastened, scarce pausing to take breath, follow- 
ing the sign which lighted us up the terraced 
heights to the hostelry, where swung a night 



THE STORY CONTINUED 3^ 

lamp; and we passed through the court of the 
inn, to the stable beyond, and there found the 
babe, and to our great astonishment, lying upon 
the bosom of Mary, who was of the house of 
David, and our own kinswoman. 

"'We lingered but a short time to rejoice 
greatly with our kinsfolk, to sing praises to the 
Most High, and to worship the child Jesus, and 
then we departed to make known abroad the say- 
ing which was told us concerning the child. 

" 'With the early morning, we were again 
keeping watch over our flock, and the night 
seemed to us a dream, only we knew it was not a 
dream, because we had seen with our eyes and 
heard with our ears ; albeit they were such things 
as had never before been given to ear of man to 
hear or eyes of man to see.' 

"And now, my children, I v/ill only add that 
Uncle David and Uncle Jonathan lived long 
enough to see the babe Jesus become a youth, 
and to tell their wonderful story to many who 
waited for the coming Messiah, — among whom 
was the old man Simeon and the saintly Anna; 
then they went unto their fathers, blessing God 
that they had lived to see this day." 



CHAPTER IV 

AUNT MARY AND HER BABY IN THE TEMPLE 

It is afternoon, and cooling winds sweep down 
from the mountain-top, while restful shadows are 
thrown upon the hill-slope, and spicy odors are 
blown from olive, fig, and orange orchards in the 
fertile valleys. 

Grandfather John, who is beginning to feel 
the weariness which comes to even healthful old 
age, had slept late into the morning, and the 
family had gone about their accustomed duties 
with hushed voices and quiet steps. The mother, 
having been assisted by her daughters with more 
than ordinary helpfulness, is able, at the united 
request of the children, to join the group in the 
late afternoon, to hear the continuation of the 
story. 

Ruth, the mother of Miriam and stepmother 
of Judith, James, and Andrew, is yet a young 
woman. After the death of James, the brother 
of John, and during the persecutions which fol- 
lowed, Joseph, the son of John, with his wife and 
three children, Judith, James, and Andrew, left 

32 



AUNT MARY AND HER BABY 33 

Judea, and came to Ephesus, where he bought a 
garden of oHves, to which was attached a small 
vineyard, on a hill-slope outside the city, and 
became one of the disciples who helped to form 
the first church of Ephesus. Here Judith, the 
wife of Joseph, died, and was buried near the 
little chapel where the disciples worshiped. It 
was not until some years afterward that Ruth 
became wife unto Joseph, and mother to the 
children of Joseph and Judith. 

Being of lovely countenance and sweet spirit, 
with a gentle dignity unusual in one so young, 
she made for herself her own place in the house- 
hold, and while Joseph kept in his heart a tender 
memory for the wife of his youth, he blessed God 
that Ruth had been given to him, to comfort his 
heart and be as a mother to his children. When 
a golden-haired, blue-eyed babe was given to 
them, they named her Miriam, at the request of 
Grandfather John, who, by this time had come 
to Ephesus and was gladly welcomed to a home 
with his only son. 

Grandmother Miriam, the tenderly beloved 
wife of Grandfather John's early youth, to whom 
he was married while yet a mere boy, lived only 
long enough to place her new-born babe in the 
arms of Salome, who loved the child even as her 
own, and the boy grew into manhood in his 



34 THE STORY OF JESUS 

grandfather's house. When his grandfather 
died, while Miriam's child was even yet a young 
man, Salome kept a home for her son John and 
grandson Joseph, and it was to this home that 
the beloved disciple took Mary, the mother of 
Jesus, from that hour when Jesus said, ''Woman, 
behold thy son; son, behold thy mother." As 
Mary was the younger sister of Salome, she was 
doubly welcomed, and save for the persecution 
which followed, the family would no doubt have 
remained in Judea, died there, and have been 
buried in the tomb of their fathers. 

There is but one more, the goodman of the 
house, with whom to acquaint ourselves, and we 
may proceed understandingly with our story. 
Joseph had long passed middle life. Indeed, 
Joseph and his father were as brothers unto each 
other, rather than father and son. The child 
Miriam was even as Benjamin unto Jacob, the 
best beloved one of both father and grandfather, 
as well as the darling of the household. 

To return to our story : In the porch, which 
looks toward the city, are gathered the whole 
family except Joseph, who, with his trusted 
servant, Baanah, is yet at work in the garden of 
olives, and Zilpah, who, under the shade of an 
old fig tree, is grinding corn for the evening meal. 
Grandfather John, leaning forward upon his staff 



AUNT MARY AND HER BABY 35 

as he sits on the bench which extends across one 
side of the porch, the family sitting as they are 
moved to do, on the stone floor, or on stools 
placed conveniently near, continues as follows: 

''My dear children, the long shadows warn us 
that our time will be short for our story to-day, 
and the call to prayer will soon be heard, and we 
will leave until it shall please God to call us to- 
gether on the morrow, the story of the Wise Men 
of the East ; and in Aunt Mary's words, I will tell 
you of the presentation of Jesus in the temple, 
according to the law of Moses. 

'' Tor forty days,' said Aunt Mary, 'we abode 
in peace in the house which Joseph, when the 
multitude had returned to their homes, obtained 
for us. During this time, when not busy about 
the house, Joseph told me many traditions of our 
fathers, and we read again the story of David who 
kept his father's flocks on these same hills, and 
dwelt with his brothers in this same town of 
Bethlehem. In the meanwhile, Jesus slept upon 
my bosom or looked up into my face when 
awake, with the waking consciousness of infant 
being. 

" 'The day came when Joseph, putting the 
child and myself upon an ass borrowed from Ju- 
dah, a kind neighbor who had become as a 
brother to us since our coming to Bethlehem, 



36 THE STORY OF JESUS 

walked beside us to Jerusalem to the temple. 
This was for my own purification and for the 
redemption of the child Jesus, and his return to 
me in the name of the Lord, until such time as the 
law of Moses should require his service in temple 
worship. 

" Tn a basket hung upon the neck of the ass 
were two turtle-doves, which we had purchased 
from the son of Judah, who raised these doves 
for temple offerings, having himself chosen 
these two, which were without spot and had lain 
in his bosom. He had loved them, yet he sold 
them to us for a few pence. He would gladly 
have given them to us, for he had grown to love 
our baby Jesus, and because of his love chose the 
pets of his heart ; but Joseph as well as myself was 
unwilling to offer unto the Lord that which had 
cost us nothing, and paid a trifle more than he 
asked for the doves, which difference, we after- 
wards learned, the boy dropped on the next Sab- 
bath day into the box which stood in the temple 
to receive offerings for the poor. 

" 'As we came into the temple bearing the 
child Jesus, we were met by an old man, Simeon 
by name. As I looked with awe and reverence 
upon him, "for he was just and devout, waiting 
for the consolation of Israel," I was surprised 
to have him take from mine arms the babe, who 



AUNT MARY AND HER BABY 37 

looked up into his face and smiled, clutching his 
long beard with his dimpled hands. But when 
I would have released them, the old man gave 
me a half-rebuking look, and drew the babe even 
more closely in his arms, until the face of the 
child, like its hands, was partly hidden in the 
flowing beard. Raising his eyes to Heaven, he 
said : 

" Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart, O Lord, 
According to Thy word, in peace; 
For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation 
Which Thou has prepared before the face of all peoples; 
A light for revelation to the Gentiles, 
And the glory of Thy people Israel."* 

'* 'As I looked to Joseph, I saw in his face 
what was in my heart, a wonder what these words 
could mean. As Simeon returned the babe to 
my arms, he extended his arms over us and 
blessed the child, Joseph, and myself; then lay- 
ing his hand upon my head, he continued, ''Be- 
hold this child is set for the fall and rising again 
of many in Israel ; and for a sign which shall be 
spoken against (yea, a sword shall pierce through 
thine own soul also) ; that the thoughts of many 
hearts shall be revealed." 

" 'As we came out of the temple, I wondered, 
as indeed I continued to do for many days, yea 

^Revised version. 



38 THE STORY OF JESUS 

for years, also, what could be the meaning of the 
words ''a sword shall pierce through thine own 
soul also"; but the good God knew I was not 
yet able to bear the sorrow which was to come 
upon me, and it was not revealed unto me until 
in fullness of time, as you, my beloved John, 
know, it was given to me to wear the crown of 
sorrows, which yet was to bud and blossom into 
the sweetness and whiteness of the Easter lily 
and the spicy fragrance and crimson glory of the 
resurrection rose. 

" 'Nor was this hymn of praise and blessing 
of the aged man, to be our only cause of won- 
derment. The saintly Anna, who was well 
known by all those who were often at temple 
service, ''coming in that instant, gave thanks like- 
wise unto God, and spake of him to all them that 
looked for redemption in Jerusalem." To my 
mother-heart there came a sweet peace, that not 
only Simeon had blessed the child and his 
mother, but that Anna, who had known so little 
of home joys and had served the Lord, waiting 
for the redemption of Israel, should see in the 
babe a promise of hope for downtrodden Israel. 

" Tt was not given me to understand these 
marvels, but I hid them in my heart and pon- 
dered them as I nursed the child on my bosom 
and carried him in my arms about my daily work. 



AUNT MARY AND HER BABY 39 

And shortly after, the coming by night of the 
Wise Men of the East, to see the Babe of Beth- 
lehem, was added unto the marvels which had 
grown more and more wondrous to me since 
first the angel of Annunciation was sent unto 
me.' " 

As Grandfather John pauses, the sound of the 
chapel bell causes them all to rise, and the be- 
loved disciple goes, as he does each day, to the 
eventide worship, followed by the whole family. 
His son Joseph walks by the side of his father, 
while the mother and her children are accom- 
panied by the children's friends, Alex and Doris, 
and the household servants ; and all take the well- 
worn path which leads to the chapel. 

As the family group come in, the company of 
behevers gathered in the chapel, rise to honor 
their beloved preacher, who, although too old to 
be their pastor, yet comes each day to give them 
his blessing, always closing his words with the 
adjuration, "Little children, love one another." 

After the benediction, the family party return 
to their home, and before partaking of their sim- 
ple meal of corn cakes, cooked in olive oil, and 
figs and grapes, they sing a hymn. As we listen 
to the hymn, we will leave them for the night 
and be ready to join them again in the morning 
and hear the story of the Magi. 



40 THE STORY OF JESUS 

O dearest Lord ! let me abide 
As doth the tender vine, 

Nourished within Thy parent stem, 
So let this life of mine 
Be hidden in the Vine, 
Jesus Divine, 

O Master mine ! let me abide, 
As in a cup of wine 

The grape is lost in crimson drops. 
So may this heart of mine 
Be wholly lost in Thine, 
Saviour Divine. 



CHAPTER V 

THE STORY OF THE WISE MEN, AS TOLD BY 

ELHANAN 

During the night there was one of those vio- 
lent storms to which that part of the country is 
subject, and it was not until a late hour in the 
morning that there was sufficient light for the 
work of the household. 

After the morning meal, the boys Andrew and 
James go to the door to see if there is no pros- 
pect of fair weather, but the clouds are hanging 
low over the city, and drifting sheets of rain, 
driven by the northerly wind, are sweeping down 
the valleys, while the mountain-tops are hidden 
from view. Their favorite meeting-place at the 
old tree, being, from constant use, somewhat 
sunken below the surrounding earth, is now a 
small pool of standing water. 

''Oh, Mother Ruth !" exclaims Judith, as she, 
too, follows her brothers to the door, ''we cannot 
go out this morning." 

"And we were to have the story I like best, 
of the Wise Men," says James. 

41 



42 THE STORY OF JESUS 

''And of the beautiful Jesus-star," says little 
Miriam. 

As Grandfather John comes out of his little 
room, he is met by a chorus of exclamations of 
disappointment from all the children, but the 
gentle mother, having obtained silence, suggests 
that as the day is too stormy for father and Baa- 
nah to go to the vineyard, and too dark in the 
house for other than the necessary work of the 
girls and women, the whole household — "You, 
my faithful Zilpah and Baanah, as well" — be 
gathered together in the family room and listen 
to the story. 

''Before we begin, mother dear, may I not run 
over and see if Alex and Doris will join us?" asks 
Andrew. 

"Is it not too stormy for him to go?" inquires 
the mother, as she turns to her husband. 

While Joseph stands in the door, the boys and 
girls wait respectfully, but with anxious faces, for 
his decision ; for without their Greek friends, the 
story would lose half its charm, especially to 
James and Judith, who, being nearer the ages of 
these playmates, are most tenderly attached to 
them. 

"The storm seems to have spent its fury," says 
Joseph, turning with an affectionate smile to the 
eager group, "and I think if James will accom- 



THE STORY OF THE WISE MEN 43 

pany his brother, there will be no danger for the 
boys. It will be for the parents of Alex and Doris 
to decide whether or no they will trust their ten- 
derly reared daughter to come to us through the 
storm." 

Scarcely is the permission given before the 
boys are out of the house and on the way. Dur- 
ing their absence, Ruth and Judith assist the 
servants in the morning tasks, that all may be 
free for the story hour. 

While the mother and daughters are attend- 
ing to their duties, we will look about the family 
room and become accustomed to the daily sur- 
roundings of our friends. Although adopting 
the Christian faith, the family is loyal to the cus- 
toms of its fathers, and has made, as far as pos- 
sible in this alien city, a Jewish home. 

Nothing can be simpler than the architecture 
of a Jewish house, built low, with a flat roof 
painted white, whereon is often spread a tent to 
increase the number of rooms for the accommo- 
dation of the family, which often consists of sev- 
eral generations. This tent is also often used as 
a sitting-room, before the sun has sunk low 
enough in the west to make the uncovered roof 
a pleasant place to sit. The doves are fully as 
much at home on the roof as the children, and are 
greatly petted by them. 



44 , THE STORY OF JESUS 

In the house we are describing, a ladder leads 
to the rooms below, which are more in number 
than is usual, three bed-chambers being built 
against the wall, and separated from the family 
room, in one case by unpainted boards, and in the 
others by curtains. Around the walls of the bed- 
rooms runs a shelf, upon which are piled during 
the day the gay quilts which are the only bed- 
ding. Neither in the bedrooms nor living-room 
are carpets, but mats are laid down near the wall. 

In the center of the living"-room hangs a lamp, 
which serves both for lighting and ornamenta- 
tion. This lamp is a feature of every Jewish 
home, and the housewife takes honest pride in 
keeping it not only trimmed and burning, but 
burnished until the brass of which it is made 
shines Hke gold. In Joseph's home, the keeping 
of this lamp is given to Judith, and as she puts 
the lamp in its place this morning, and stands 
back to inspect her work, her hands resting 
gracefully upon her hips, she brings to Grand- 
father John a memory of the parable of the ten 
virgins, and calling her to him and taking her 
hands gently in his own, he says, ''My Judith, 
brightly burns the home lamp trimmed by these 
dear hands. Taught by thy good mother, thou 
art wise in all housewifely gifts and sweet with 
all womanly graces ; and I trow from thy patience 



THE STORY OF THE WISE MEN 45 

with thy restless brothers, thy gentleness with 
thy baby sister, thy dutiful devotion to father and 
mother, and thy careful attention to distasteful 
duties, that thou hast learned of Him who came 
into the world not to be ministered unto, but to 
minister. From the tender light in these eyes, 
when we talk of the coming of the Bridegroom, 
I know that thy heart is as a lamp filled to the 
brim with the oil of love, which having been set 
on fire by the spirit of devotion to the Master's 
service, is ready for daily sacrifice upon the home 
altar. Ah, my Judith, the Master taught us that 
there is no service so high, but we. His lowliest 
disciples, may render it even to the kings and 
princes of this world in need of salvation ; and no 
work so lowly but we, as kings and princes under 
God, may count it all joy to render it unto the 
lowliest of the children of men. Rich and poor, 
bond and free, old men and women, young men 
and maidens, and little children, are alike broth- 
ers and sisters in Christ Jesus ; and would to God 
that we all might be as the five wise virgins, found 
at the Bridegroom's coming with lamps trimmed 
and burning." 

But so long have we tarried listening with 
Judith to Grandfather John's exhortation, that 
we must hastily finish our survey of the room. 

In one corner is the wooden chest, painted in 



46 THE STORY OF JESUS 

bright colors, which contains the most valuable 
possessions of the family — the books of the law 
and the prophets, as well as the gospels of Mat- 
thew, Mark, and Luke, and the writings of 
Grandfather John.* Around the walls is a ledge 
within easy reach, on which are earthen vessels 
for daily use. Near the door stand large com- 
mon water-jars of red clay, with a few twigs and 
green leaves of aromatic shrubs thrust into their 
orifices, to keep the water cool. There is a tra- 
dition in the family, that one of these shrubs in 
common use is the same as that with which Moses 
sweetened the waters of Marah. Near the door, 
when the members of the household are within, 
stand the shoes and sandals, which are always 
taken off upon the threshold. 

But here come the boys, with Alex and Doris, 
and the family are quickly ready for the story. 

''My dear children, it is well known to you 
all, that for many, many years our people had 
watched and waited with bitter crying and tears, 
for the coming of Messiah. It may not be as 
well known to you, that the whole world, sunken 
in wickedness, although in many places learned 
in arts and sciences and well skilled in the crea- 
tion of all things beautiful, was looking through 
the longing eyes of its greatest philosophers and 

* From Life of Christ, by Canon Farrar. 



THE STORY OF THE WISE MEN 47 

most devout men of all religious faiths, for a 
coming deliverer; for the prophet Isaiah had 
prophesied, 'And the Gentiles shall come to Thy 
light, and kings to the brightness of Thy ris- 
ing.' Also, in Psalms, The kings of Tarshish and 
of the isles shall give presents. The kings of 
Arabia and Saba shall bring gifts.' 

"As all prophecy was to be fulfilled concern- 
ing the birth of Jesus, 'Behold there came wise 
men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, "Where 
is he that is born King of the Jews, for we have 
seen his star in the east and are come to worship 
him." ' " 

"Grandfather," says Alex, "who told you 6f 
these Wise Men, and from what country did they 
come?" 

"My son, when I was scarcely more than a 
boy, I met an old man who had dwelt in Jerusa- 
lem even from his childhood, and he told me the 
story of his meeting with these men who came 
first to Jerusalem to inquire where Christ should 
be born, and I will recall his story as nearly as 
possible in his own words. 

" 'One evening, as I sat at the gate of Jerusa- 
lem, I saw in the distance three men riding upon 
camels. As they came nearer, I was struck by 
their unusual appearance. The first was evi- 
dently an Egyptian, and he rode a white drome- 



48 THE STORY OF JESUS 

dary which showed its Syrian blood by its color, 
height, and breadth of foot, its bulk of body not 
fat, but overlaid with muscle, its long, slender 
neck, its head wide between the eyes and taper- 
ing to a muzzle which a lady's bracelet might 
almost have clasped; its motion, step long and 
elastic, tread sure and soundless — all certified its 
Syrian blood, old as the days of Cyrus, and abso- 
lutely priceless.* 

" The Egyptian rode like a king of the Ori- 
ent upon his dromedary, which was most richly 
caparisoned, and upon whose trappings silver 
bells were so arranged as to give a chime of mel- 
ody, which was in fact a bit of music from a song 
of triumph composed for the use of one of the 
ancient priests of the temple, and afterward used 
in honor of the reaching of his majority of one 
of the Pharaohs. 

" 'A second white dromedary, scarcely less 
powerfully built than the one already described, 
bore on his back a man clad in the costume of a 
Hindostani. While the Egyptian had passed 
middle life, this man seemed scarcely to have 
reached the boundary of youth. He, in turn, was 
followed by a third camel, almost a counterpart 
of the two preceding ones. This man was a 
youth with the fair hair and complexion of his 

* Ben Hur. 



THE STORY OF THE WISE MEN 49 

country, the frank blue eyes and smiling looks 
of a tenderly affectionate nature, and the 
thoughtful brow of a student, and of one who 
while yet young was cultured as are only those 
who were privileged to have their birth in Athens, 
the proud city of Greece.* 

" 'As they drew near the gates, they paused, 
and as a crowd of people drew curiously about 
them, the Egyptian, who seemed to be the lead- 
er, catching my eye, said, 'Is not this the gate 
which leads into the city of Jerusalem?" and 
when I answered, "Rabboni, it is even as thou 
hast said," he continued in these strange words: 
"Where is he that is born king of the Jews?" And 
I, turning to a Jew who stood near, said in a low 
voice, "Can he mean Herod?" For it was well 
known that Herod not only was not born king 
of the Jews, but in truth was not even born a 
king, being of ignoble birth. Still in a low tone 
my neighbor replied, "There is none other than 
Herod who is called king of the Jews," and loud- 
er, he said to the Egyptian, "If you mean Herod, 
we will show you the way to his palace, and it 
may be he will give such as you audience." 

" 'As he spake these words, the Egyptian 
turned to his followers, and said something in 
an unknown language, and the three turned their 

* Ben Hur. 



50 THE STORY OF JESUS 

eyes upward, as if seeking some sign, while the 
second said, "For we have seen his star," and the 
third added, ''And are come to worship him." 

" 'I looked wonderingly into the heavens, but 
saw no star, nor, seemingly, did the strangers, for 
they turned to him who had last spoken, and said, 
''We would see this Herod whom you call king." 

" 'At this the Jew, whom I afterward learned 
to be Elhanan, and myself, followed by a motley 
crowd, led the way to the palace of Herod, where 
a messenger gave word of the strange appearance 
of these men of the East. Herod, curious to 
know what should be their errand, and won by 
the richness of the gifts brought him by the mes- 
senger, readily gave ear unto them, and Elhanan 
and myself were so fortunate as to find a place 
behind the curtains which hung before the door 
of Herod's audience chamber, where, ourselves 
unseen, we could both see and hear what took 
place within. Again were repeated the words we 
had heard at the gate, "Where is he that is born 
king of the Jews, for we have seen his star in the 
east, and are come to worship him?" 

" 'As Herod heard these words, he turned 
pale, for well he knew his kingship was from 
Caesar, and he had no real right to be king of the 
Jews. Recovering himself, however, he said, 



THE STORY OF THE WISE MEN 5^ 

courteously, "There has been no child born lately 
in the palace, but there is a tradition among the 
Jews that a Christ is to be born. I will gather 
together the Chief Priests and Scribes and de- 
mand of them where Christ should be born, and 
when I have thus done, will have further speech 
with you." 

" 'At this he dismissed the men, who departed 
and found for themselves lodgings befitting their 
evident high rank and great wealth. 

'' 'Curious to learn more, I lingered near their 
lodging-place, and when the following night they 
followed a messenger who seemed to come se- 
cretly, I was not far behind, and when they en- 
tered the palace, slipped into my former hiding- 
place, where I could hear the words of Herod as 
he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and 
search diligently for the young child, and when 
ye have found him, bring me word again, that I 
may come and worship him also." 

" 'The three men hastened out of the palace, 
and again I followed them to their lodging-place, 
from which they shortly came forth, and mount- 
ing their camels, started on their way to Bethle- 
hem. 

" 'As they disappeared from my view, I saw 
going before them a brilliant star never before 



52 THE STORY OF JESUS 

known unto me, and I remembered their words, 
"For we have seen a star in the east," and I mar- 
veled greatly.' 

''But, children, I am very weary from my long 
talk, and must leave until another time Aunt 
Mary's story of the Wise Men." 

''And see," cry Judith and Doris, "a rain- 
bow !" and all the children rush to the door. 

Grandfather John goes to his little room, and 
we will leave them until to-morrow, when we will 
listen with the children to the story of the visit 
of the Wise Men of the East to the child Jesus, 
and their worship of him, as told by Mary his 
mother. 



CHAPTER VI 

THE STORY OF THE WISE MEN, AS TOLD BY MARY 

The morning dawned as fair and bright as the 
day before had been dark and gloomy, and the 
usual company gathered on the porch, as several 
hours must pass before the ground about the 
roots of the old tree would be dry enough for 
Grandfather John to sit there with safety. The 
children gathered about him, while Miriam flitted 
to and fro from porch to garden and back again 
to her mother, who was busy with her ordinary 
morning duties. 

''My dear children," began the grandfather, 
"I will continue my story, in the words of Aunt 
Mary. 

" 'One night, soon after our return from the 
presentation of the child Jesus in the temple, at 
the beginning of the third watch, while I, unable 
to sleep, was pondering over the wonderful 
things which had taken place, the child roused 
from his sleep. Taking him in my arms, I sat 
down near the open door, when suddenly I saw 
a great light, unlike the soft radiance of the full 

S3 



54 THE STORY OF JESUS 

moon or the far-off twinkle of the morning star. 
It was more Hke the sudden appearance of the 
sun in the heavens without its slow rising at the 
early dawn. I thought it must be a star falling 
from the heavens, and, very much frightened, I 
called to Joseph. As he joined me, we heard the 
sound of feet, and immediately there were come 
into the house three Wise Men of the East, and 
as they saw the child in my arms, they fell upon 
their faces and worshiped him. And while I 
remained speechless from amazement, they 
opened their treasures and presented unto him 
gifts — gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

*' 'Before they departed, they told me their 
names — Belthasar, from the land of Egypt; Mel- 
chior, from far India; and Caspar, from Greece. 

" 'After they were gone, Joseph and I mar- 
veled greatly that to these Gentiles should be 
given a faith in the babe who, lying upon my 
bosom, looked not unlike any other Jewish babe, 
which should lead them to fall down and worship 
him. 

" 'With the departure of the Wise Men, the 
star which had lighted up not only the outside 
of the house, but the room wherein we were 
seated, went out, and it seemed even darker than 
before its coming. 



THE STORY OF THE WISE MEN 55 

" The following night Joseph aroused me 
from sleep, and said, ''An angel of the Lord hath 
appeared unto me, saying, 'Arise' and take the 
young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, 
and be thou there until I bring thee word, for 
Herod will seek the young child to destroy 
him.' " 

" 'At his words my heart grew faint with fear, 
and, lifting my babe in my arms, I begged 
Joseph not to wait until morning, but to depart 
at once, and he Hstened to my words, and that 
same night we departed into Egypt. 

" 'As we silently left Bethlehem, looking back 
lest we should be followed by the cruel servants 
of Herod, I wept that we were to become stran- 
gers in a strange land, but Joseph comforted me, 
saying, "The Lord God of Jacob and Joseph, 
who were also strangers and sojourners in the 
land of Egypt, will surely care for us." It was 
not until years later that I recalled the prophecy, 
"Out of Egypt have I called my son." 

" 'It was many days before we heard, through 
a Jew who came from Jerusalem, of the slaughter 
of the innocent babes at the command of Herod, 
even from two years old and under, and knew 
that he had hoped to kill the child Jesus.' " 

As Grandfather John pauses, Judith asks, "To 
what place did they go in Egypt?" 



56 THE STORY OF JESUS 

''And how long did they live there?" inquires 
Alex. 

"I do not remember the name of the place, or 
even if it had a name," answers their grandfather, 
"but it must have been some quiet spot near the 
borders of Judea. And the time of their sojourn 
in Egypt was but short, for the wicked Herod 
died, and again an angel of the Lord appeared 
in a dream to Joseph, saying, "Arise and take the 
young child and his mother, and go into the land 
of Israel, for they are dead which sought the 
young child's life." 

" 'Gladly,' said Aunt Mary, 'we listened to the 
voice of the angel, and returned into our own 
land, but when Joseph learned that Archelaus 
did reign in the room of his father Herod, he was 
afraid to go thither. It had been our thought 
to return to Bethlehem, which, being the city of 
David and the house of my fathers, and near to 
Jerusalem, seemed the fitting place for our abode, 
that we might rear the child in the knowledge 
of the law of Moses and the traditions of his 
fathers, and go often unto the temple for wor- 
ship ; but fearing danger to him, we turned aside 
into the parts of Galilee. 

" 'I seemed,' said Aunt Mary, 'as we again 
entered our own city, Nazareth, after so many 
wonderful events had taken place, to be another. 



THE STORY OF THE WISE MEN 57 

and not myself. I left Nazareth scarcely more 
than a child, and I returned but a few months 
older, and yet God had given to me an experi- 
ence which had added unto me, as it were, the 
months multiplied by years. 

'' 'Rejoicing in hope of a future for my child 
which would be a fulfillment of the prophecies 
that had been given in Bethlehem and Jerusalem, 
Joseph, the child, and myself dwelt in a small 
house in Nazareth. Here Joseph worked at his 
trade, for he was a carpenter, and the child grew 
and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, 
and the grace of God was upon him.* " 

"Grandfather John, please tell us about the 
boyhood of Jesus, while he dwelt with his mother 
and father at Nazareth," said Andrew. 

"My dear children, I would that I could do so 
more fully than I am able, but Aunt Mary loved 
best to speak of the babe, and told us little of the 
boy. I have but one other story to give you 
from his mother's lips — a story of the boy at 
twelve years of age — before I reach the happy 
time when I myself became a follower of my 
blessed Master, and can tell you of him from my 
personal knowledge." 

"But, grandfather, were his boy days like 
those of other children?" asked James; "or did 



58 THE STORY OF JESUS 

wonders follow him, like unto those that occurred 
at his birth?" 

"It pleased the Father that he should be in all 
points like unto his brethren, yet without sin," 
replies Grandfather John. 

"1 am glad of that," says Alex, "I like to think 
of the boy Jesus as boy brother to me, even as 
you, dear grandfather, speak of him as brother 
man to you." 

''And, grandfather, doesn't that mean that he 
is baby brother to Miriam, and all other babies 
like her, as well as boy and baby brother to all 
the boys and girls and babies that shall ever come 
into the world?" 

''Yes, my child, and he made childhood with 
its homely duties, a fitting life to live, for all those 
who would be the world's heroes," says Grand- 
father John. "You boys wish you may become 
mighty in word and in deed, bringing freedom 
and greatness to our people, yet are often un- 
willing to draw the water for mother's use, or 
gather the sticks for the baking of the cakes ; yet 
Christ, the greatest hero of the ages, even of the 
eternities, was content to work at the bench of 
the carpenter and do homey service for his 
mother." 

"I like that word 'homey,' " says Doris ; "it 
seems some way sweeter than homely." 



THE STORY OF THE WISE MEN 59 

"All service, my Doris," says Mother Ruth, 
pausing at the door, as she hears the words of 
Doris, "that is done for the home, no matter how 
homely, is beautiful, especially when it is done in 
His name.'* 

"But, grandfather, after all, I do wish you 
could tell us more about the boy Jesus, before 
you tell us of the God-man, as you sometimes 
call him," says Andrew. 

"Well, children, there is but one way that 
I can do this. You know I have often told 
you not to give credence to the Apocryphal 
gospels, which tell such fabulous stories of 
his childhood. He lived as did other chil- 
dren, only a more beautiful life, rich with the 
long, long thoughts of his heart, and sweet with 
the consciousness of his Father's approval, and 
filled with enthusiasm for an unknown future, 
which was to be one of loving service forever, for 
early in life he began to be about his Father's 
business." 

"Then, too," says Doris, "how he must have 
loved the beautiful birds and flowers, and the 
wonderful hills and valleys." 

"And his own beautiful Lake Galilee," adds 
Judith. 

"But, grandfather, we have interrupted you, 



6o THE STORY OF JESUS 

for you said there was one way you could tell us 
of his boyhood," says Andrew. 

"I had thought/' answers Grandfather John, 
*'that I might tell you a little of my own boy days, 
and from them you could picture those of the 
boy Jesus." 

"Oh, do, dear grandfather!" Doris exclaims. 

"Yes, that will be just what we want," says 
James. 

"You will have to leave that for to-morrow, 
dear children," says Joseph, who has come in 
while they have been talking, "for grandfather 
has only time for his usual rest before the noon 
hour." 

While Grandfather John and Father Joseph 
are resting, the girls — for Doris and Alex are to 
dine with them to-day — prepare the noon meal, 
under the direction of Mother Ruth. Little 
Miriam follows the older girls about "to help," 
as she calls it, "to hinder," as Judith says to 
Doris, but low, lest the little one's feelings be 
hurt. During this work, the boys go outside for 
an hour's exercise. 

The hour soon passes. The boys come run- 
ning in, Andrew saying, "It is noon by the dial. 
Mother Ruth." 

"And noon by the reckoning of our desire for 
food," laughs James. 



THE STORY OF THE WISE MEN 6i 

"All is now ready," says the mother; *'you, 
Miriam, call your father and grandfather, and 
Judith may bring the rice and meat." 

At her words a dish of rice in which bits of 
meat have been mingled, and which rests upon a 
large wooden tray, is placed upon a low table in 
the middle of the room. All gather around it, 
sitting upon low stools ; and at a glance from the 
mother, Zilpah pours water over the hands of 
each, from a brazen ewer, into a brazen bowl, 
while golden-haired Miriam follows her with a 
linen towel. They go first to Grandfather John, 
who bends to kiss his darling, as Miriam reaches 
the towel to him, and the little dimpled hands 
rub the wrinkled ones, as she dearly loves to do, 
and as grandfather dearly loves to have her. The 
rest take the towel and dry their own hands, 
when, in their turn, Miriam offers it to them. 
After the washing, all bow their heads, and 
grandfather asks the usual blessing before meat. 

After each one has helped himself from the 
common bowl as freely as he desires, Zilpah re- 
moves the bowl, and another is put in its place. 
This contains stewed fruits, and is greatly rel- 
ished by the younger members of the family. 

When all have eaten until they are satisfied, 
Zilpah brings again the ewer and bowl, and hav- 



62 THE STORY OF JESUS 

ing again washed, Joseph returns thanks, and the 
family separate for their usual vocations. 

Here we will leave them, and in the next chap- 
ter listen to the short story of Grandfather John's' 
boyhood. 



CHAPTER VII 

GRANDFATHER JOHN's BOYHOOD 

Farther up the mountain-slope, beyond the 
old tree, is another place which is a favorite one 
with the children. It is less often used for story- 
telling, as it takes some hard climbing to reach 
it. But on the day for the story of grandfather's 
boyhood, he, feeHng unusually strong, suggests 
this place of meeting. The children, greatly de- 
lighted with the plan, separate, the boys to run 
for their friends Alex and Doris, Judith to fill a 
basket with fish, fruit, cakes, and wild honey, to 
carry with them. 

They are soon on their way. To James, the 
eldest, is given the honor and pleasure of helping 
Grandfather John over the difficult places, while 
Judith and Doris do the same for little Miriam, 
and Alex and Andrew carry the basket of food. 

After an hour's climbing, taken very slowly on 
account of the tender years of Miriam and the age 
of Grandfather John, they reach Shelter Rock, 
as the place is called on account of a great rock 
in whose shadow they are glad to rest. 

63 



64 THE STORY OF JESUS 

The children soon spring up and run to a 
stream of water which flows down the slope of 
the mountain, from the other side of the rock, and 
they are all greatly refreshed by the cooling drmk 
as well as by the baths given feet, hands, and 
faces. The boys dip their heads in the water, 
while the black hair of Judith, the flaxen of Doris, 
and the golden of Miriam sparkle with crystal 
drops thrown by the boys, in their happy play. 

As the children gather around Grandfather 
John, in a hollow on the shady side of the great 
rock, the old man looks up to the rock towering 
above him, and says, "During my long life, dear 
children, I have indeed found it true, that the love 
of God our Father, in his tender care and pro- 
tection, is like unto the shadow of a great rock 
in a weary land. And before we begin our story 
of my childhood, let us all kneel and pray to- 
gether, in the words given us by our Lord Jesus." 

Reverently they all kneel, Miriam with her 
golden head pressed against grandfather's knees, 
as they are led by the disciple whom Jesus loved, 
in the prayer which He gave to His disciples : 

"Our Father which art in Heaven; hallowed 
be Thy name ; Thy kingdom come ; Thy will be 
done in earth as it is in Heaven ; give us this day 
our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as 
we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into 



GRANDFATHER JOHN'S BOYHOOD 65 

temptation, but deliver us from evil ; for thine is 
the kingdom and the power and the glory, for- 
ever. Amen." 

A hush seems to creep over all nature, as if 
even the birds of the air and the conies that come 
out from their coverts in the rocks, were rever- 
ently attentive to the voice of prayer. 

As they rise from their knees, the old man 
begins his story as follows : 

"Children, as I speak to you of the days of 
my childhood, I will at the same time give you 
here and there what seems to me probable of the 
childhood and youth of Jesus. Yet I wish you 
to remember that I speak not with authority, or 
from personal knowledge, but from what seems 
to me consistent with the life of the Son of Man, 
of whom you so beautifully suggested, that he 
was baby and boy brother to the children, as well 
as man brother to men and women. 

"As I have said, my home was at some dis- 
tance from that of Uncle Joseph and Aunt Mary ; 
not so far, however, but that we might have met 
each other more often than we really did. But we 
were all working people, and I have sometimes 
thought that it was the plan of God that the early 
life of Jesus should not be more fully known to 
us than that of ordinary men. 

"You will remember that Jesus himself said 



66 THE STORY OF JESUS 

that a prophet hath no honor in his own country. 
And it is true that his own brothers and sisters 
did not at first believe in him. You also know 
how many foolish stories are told by those who, 
having no authority, yet speak of these days. 
But be the reason of this silence what it may, 
we will respect it, and I will tell you in a few 
words, something of my life as a typical Jewish 
child. 

"My home was in the northern part of Pales- 
tine, in the town of Bethsaida, not far from Ca- 
pernaum and Chorazin; within sight were the 
green slopes of Tabor and the snowy heights of 
Hermon. Cities and towns and villages could be 
seen from these heights in every direction, while 
fruit orchards and forest trees surrounded the 
populous places, offering from their abundance 
food and shade to the inhabitants, now stretch- 
ing in broken lines up the slopes of the moun- 
tains, now clustering in the valleys, as if for Na- 
ture's adornment only.* 

"As I said, Bethsaida was my own city, and my 
parents' home was close to the waters of a small 
bay. This bay was sheltered by high rocks on 
either side, and had a smooth, sandy beach, from 
which my father and the hired servants launched 

* Adapted from McDonald's Life and Writings of St. 
John. 



GRANDFATHER JOHN'S BOYHOOD 67 

their fishing-boats. They often drew large 
draughts of fishes, for which ready sale was found 
in the near towns and villages. 

"Long before I was old enough to go fishing 
with my father, I sailed little boats which my 
older brother, James, made for me, or played at 
catching fish with pieces of nets and bits of lines, 
or, as I have told you before, tried how far out on 
the water I could skip the stones which I picked 
up from the pebbly beach. 

"All Jewish boys are trained in some useful 
calling or trade, and although my father was a 
man of substance, and had little need himself to 
fish for a living, we boys, showing a liking for 
this kind of life, were taught to be real fishermen, 
and when grown, our father fitted us out with the 
best made boats, nets, and lines, and we were as- 
sisted by the servants in mending our nets and 
in v/ashing our boats. 

"Our parents, having been well taught, were 
desirous that their children should likewise re- 
ceive instruction, and as early as at the age of 
five, we were able to study the Scriptures. At 
six we were taken to the synagogue schools, and 
even before this we had learned many of the 
Psalms of David, and were familiar with the his- 
tory of the children of Israel and the wonderful 
stories of the patriarchs, prophets, and kings. 



68 THE STORY OF JESUS 

"Occasionally we were taken to Jerusalem, 
where, according to the custom, we were not 
only permitted to listen to the Jewish doctors, 
but were encouraged to ask them questions." 

"But what did you play, when you were a 
boy?" asks Andrew. 

"We gathered together in bands, much as 
you do, ran races on the hill-slopes of Judea, and 
played games as do the children of to-day." 

"Did Jesus play just like other children?" asks 
James. 

"I think that he did," replies Grandfather 
John, "only he was braver, gentler, and more 
courteous than were his playmates. As he grew 
older, there must have come to him strange 
thoughts of the future, and his dreams, waking 
or sleeping, must have been sweet ones, while 
his purposes to be helpful to others, to be him- 
self all that was noble, heroic, and good, strength- 
ened with his growth. The horizon of his field 
of action must also have widened before him from 
the narrow bounds of his humble home in Naza- 
reth, first to the confines of Judea, and later to 
the Gentiles within the borders of Judea, until it 
was given him to know that he had come to be 
the world's Saviour. 

"Remembering my own thoughts and feelings 
when, at the age of twelve, I was taken to the 



GRANDFATHER JOHN'S BOYHOOD 69 

temple to be reckoned no more a child, but as 
grown, I think I can in part understand what 
Jesus felt, when he also went up to Jerusalem, in 
accordance with our custom.'* 

'Tlease tell us about it," says Judith. 

"The story," continues Grandfather John, "as 
told by Luke, gives only the scene in the temple, 
but I love to think as well of the boy Jesus, as, 
on the day before, he with his parents prepared 
to go up to the feast of the Passover. 

"But I am weary of talking, and I see Andrew 
is looking toward the basket, and after we have 
eaten and I have taken my noon rest under the 
shade of this rock, while you children stretch 
your limbs in healthful sport and try your voices 
in shouting to the echoes on the opposite hills, 
it 'will be time for our return. To-morrow we 
will go on with the story of Jesus in the temple." 



CHAPTER VIII 

THE BOY JESUS IN THE TEMPLE 

Early the following morning, James, Judith, 
and Andrew, having been joined at a still earlier 
hour by Alex and Doris, surround Grandfather 
John on the porch of Joseph's house, with eager 
request for the continuation of their story. As 
grandfather says, "I am altogether ready, my 
children," James, with a glance toward his 
brother Andrew, says, "Let us go into the garden 
of olives for our story to-day. We boys will 
carry stools, and you girls bring cushions for 
Grandfather John." 

At these words, the girls run for cushions, and 
they all follow James and Andrew. When they 
reach the garden, they find that the boys have a 
surprise for them. 

The day before, with the help of Baanah, they 
have made a comfortable seat against the trunk 
of a large olive tree for their grandfather, with 
which he is much pleased; and when the girls 
have arranged the cushions for his greater com- 
fort, they are all soon seated, and grandfather 

begins : 

70 



THE BOY JESUS IN THE TEMPLE 7^ 

"I have no doubt that the day before was a 
long one to the boy, just as it would have been 
to any other country-born boy who was to go to 
the city on the following day. As he went to bed 
at night, no doubt he lay awake a long time, 
thinking the morning would never come; but, 
tired from his work during the day, the night 
was in truth very short, for even before the dawn 
came the call of his mother, 'My son, it is time 
for you to rise and make ready for going up to 
Jerusalem.'' 

"Springing from his low bed on the floor, his 
ready hands and willing feet were soon helping 
his father and mother in making the house ready 
for leaving, and collecting the few simple articles 
needed for the journey. As they must be on the 
way for several days, and live in a booth outside 
the city after they reached Jerusalem, they would 
need cooking utensils and bedclothing, so they 
shared with some neighbors the cost of a beast 
of burden to carry these necessaries, while the 
family themselves went on foot. 

'The hill on which Nazareth is built is six 
hundred feet above the sea, and the valley below 
is one of rich loveliness. As Jesus, with his 
parents and the neighbors with whom they had 
joined company, came along the road which 
winds down the hill-slope into the valley, the 



72 THE STORY OF JESUS 

rising sun shone upon far-off Hermon; mount- 
ing higher, its beams Hghted up the hills and 
flooded the valleys as they descended into the 
plain of Jezreel. 

''By the first of May, the time of the Passover 
feast, the country is clothed in its richest green, 
and scarlet, purple, and gold brilliantly color the 
flowers of the field. 

"As Jesus' feet hastened with the sprightliness 
and buoyancy of childhood along the well-worn 
path, his eyes sparkling with delight at the beau- 
tiful scene and his heart opening like the heart 
of a rose to drink in the loveliness of nature, the 
voice of God, who is ever speaking in the souls 
of all children, had, we may believe, a special 
word for him who never turned his face away 
from his Father's. The flowers by the wayside, 
silently, the birds of the air, vocally, spoke in a 
language that was no unknown tongue to him, 
for God, his own soul, and Nature were in com- 
plete harmony with each other. 

"As they paused for the first night's rest on 
the hither side of the mountains of Manasseh, 
although weary from his unaccustomed journey, 
the child was for a time too happy to sleep. The 
fulfillment of his fondest hopes was about to be 
realized. Hopes cherished from his earliest 



THE BOY JESUS IN THE TEMPLE 73 

years, since first he heard from his mother's lips 
the song, 'Great is the Lord, and greatly to be 
praised in the city of our God, in the mountain 
of His holiness/ 

'' 'Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole 
earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, 
the city of the Great King.' Added to the de- 
light of a child about to see the wonders of a 
great city, the patriotic and rehgious fervor of a 
Jewish child for his national capital city, and the 
temple of the Most High, was the consciousness 
which must already have begun to dawn in his 
soul, that his Father had work for him to do, 
that the world knew not of. 

"His parents, enjoying the company of their 
friends, gave little heed to the wondering awe 
which at times crept over his spirit, as he thought 
within himself strange thoughts. No doubt, 
Joseph answered his eager questions about the 
history of the country over which he passed, but 
even Mary could not enter wholly into the heart 
of her child, and must at times have disappointed 
him when unable to fully satisfy the Christ-child 
nature. 

"A second, and yet a third day, they jour- 
neyed toward Jerusalem. As they drew near the 
city, they were joined by great numbers coming 
from converging roads, while the sound of drum 



74 THE STORY OF JESUS 

and timbrel and the voice of song came up from 
the various caravans. 

"Nor was it only Jewish people who came up 
to Jerusalem at this time. Traders from all parts 
of Syria, from Arabia, Babylonia, and Egypt 
were bringing their wares to Jerusalem at this 
best of all times of the year for selling or exchang- 
ing with each other, or with the wealthy Jews 
who dwelt in Jerusalem or in the regions around 
about the city. 

''To the boy brought up in the country vil- 
lage of Nazareth it was a marvelous scene. No 
doubt, he was almost overpowered by his feel- 
ings of wonder. But more to be desired than 
all was the first sight of the temple, and his heart 
thrilled with joy unutterable as his feet pressed 
the stones of the outer court. At last he stood 
within the house of his Father, and who shall 
say that it may not have been that his Father 
spoke to him in a voice only heard by his own 
soul?" 

Grandfather John, leaning against the olive 
tree, his eyes fixed upon the distant scene before 
them, seems to forget altogether the present. It 
is Alex who gently rouses him, after a few mo- 
ments of silence. 

"Please tell us of the temple as it was in the 
days of Jesus." 



THE BOY JESUS IN THE TEMPLE 75 

''Alas, my children, that the prophecy should 
have been fulfilled in my day: her house is left 
unto her desolate. However, at that time," con- 
tinues the old man, ''it was in all its glory. As 
Jesus and his parents came in, which they prob- 
ably did at the eastern gate which is called Beau- 
tiful, they would enter first the court of women. 
This led into the upper court, where were placed 
the Levites who conducted the musical service. 
The upper court was divided into two parts : one 
for the court of Israel, the other for the priests, 
in which was the altar and lavers. The sanc- 
tuary was raised yet higher, twelve steps leading 
up from the porch. Here, in chambers opening 
from it, were kept what was needed for sacrifice. 
It was in one of those outer courts that Jesus 
talked with the learned doctors, but no words of 
mine can give the story so well as those of 
Brother Luke. 

" 'And when they had fulfilled the days, as 
they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in 
Jerusalem, and Joseph and his mother knew not 
of it. But they, supposing him to have been in 
the company, went a day's journey, and they 
sought him among their kinsfolk and acquain- 
tance, and when they found him not, they turned 
back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it 
came to pass that after three days they found him 



76 THE STORY OF JESUS 

in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, 
both hearing them and asking them questions, 
and all that heard him were astonished at his 
understanding and answers. And when they saw 
him, they were amazed ; and his mother said unto 
him, ''Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? 
Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrow- 
ing." And he said unto them, ''How is it that 
ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about 
my Father's business?" And they understood 
not the saying which he spoke unto them, and 
he went down with them and came to Nazareth, 
and was subject unto them; but his mother kept 
all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased 
in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and 
man.' 

"Our talk to-day is already a long one, and 
I will add but a few thoughts more that have 
come to me as I have pondered over the unre- 
corded years between this beautiful story and the 
baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. From that 
time I shall be able to speak to you from my per- 
sonal knowledge of my Master, although at times 
I will also give you events related by the other 
disciples, sometimes recorded by them and some- 
times given to me as we talked with each other, 
both before and after Jesus' death and resurrec- 
tion. 




CHRIST AND THE DOCTORS 



THE BOY JESUS IN THE TEMPLE 77 

"Of all those years which lie between twelve 
and thirty, we have only these words : 'And he 
went down with them to Nazareth, and was sub- 
ject unto them, but his mother kept all these 
things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wis- 
dom and stature and in favor with God and man.' 

"From his Father's house, the beautiful tem- 
ple at Jerusalem, he returned to his mother's 
humble cottage, to do the most humble service, 
such as gathering sticks to cook the food, or car- 
rying water for household needs. As he grew 
older, he worked busily at the bench of the car- 
penter. No doubt, he thought often of the prob- 
lems which come to every thoughtful human 
soul, of duty to God, service to mankind, and of 
the future beyond this life of ours. Over and 
over he turned the questions which the learned 
doctors in the temple were unable to answer to 
his satisfaction, and, no doubt, that God who is 
never far away from any one of those who ear- 
nestly and truly seek after Him, was present with 
the sinless one, who had never turned his face 
away from Him, or clos.ed his soul to heavenly 
things. 

"During these years, he was prepared by God, 
as are all great souls, for the work before him. 
No doubt, to him was given an inner conscious- 
ness of his Father's presence, and a development 



78 THE STORY OF JESUS 

of the divine part of his nature, not given to mere 
human beings. Boy here, as he was, in all that 
is noble and manly, in his protection of the weak 
and combat with all evil, he so increased in wis- 
dom and stature and in favor with God and man, 
that, as a man, he became the greatest hero the 
world has ever seen, as well as the manliest and 
gentlest of men. 

"As we go on in our story, may you, my dear 
children, catch the divine inspiration of his hero- 
ism, as well as learn of him who was meek and 
lowly in heart, and who, Son of God as he was, 
yet became for our sakes, son of man, and not 
only for three years of his life, but from earliest 
conscious childhood, went about doing good. 
In nothing did he show the hero more than in 
waiting for thirty years, patiently performing the 
common duties of life, waiting for the years to be 
accom.plished when he could enter upon what 
must have seemed to him to be his great work. 

"Not unto man is given to be or to do what 
Christ was and did for that marvelous three years. 
But we may perform the common duties of life 
in a childlike spirit, which may not only make us 
Christlike heroes in daily life, but fit us for the 
work of heroes, if called out of common life to 
do public service for God and humanity. 

"My boys, as we pass from the boy-life of 



THE BOY JESUS IN THE TEMPLE 79 

Christ, may his spirit rest upon you, making you 
to be heroes indeed; and, my girls, not all the 
heroes are boys and men. Jesus has forever con- 
secrated the service of the home. It can no more 
be common or unclean, but divine; and he has 
as well lifted woman to be twin hero with man 
in the blessed work given both, the salvation of 
the world." 

It was a good thing that Ruth had accom- 
panied the children on this morning, as the clos- 
ing words in which Grandfather John had ex- 
alted the work of women, were particularly ap- 
propriate and comforting to her, although some- 
what beyond the understanding of the children ; 
and she, like Mary, hid these things in her heart, 
and they bore fruit in her after-life and the life 
of both the boys and the girls, for she brought 
forth these hidden treasures for them, after the 
beloved grandfather had passed away from earth. 

As the group returned homeward, they were 
in an unusually thoughtful mood. Grandfather 
John, wearied from his long talk, rested during 
the following day, tenderly cared for by Ruth and 
Judith, while Miriam rested closely in his arms, 
"loving him," as she called it, or brought the cup 
of cold water, or a soft towel to bathe his weary 
head, w^hile Grandfather John called her "Little 
Blessing." 



CHAPTER IX 

AT THE JORDAN 

The second day after the story of Jesus in the 
temple at Jerusalem, Grandfather John gathers 
his flock together again at the old tree, and con- 
tinues as follows: 

"My beloved children, I am from henceforth 
to speak of the things I do know, and to testify 
of that I have seen, and God grant that you may 
receive my testimony, and the grace of God abide 
with you even from henceforth and forever- 
more." 

The children bow their heads reverently with 
the familiar words, as the beloved disciple's habit 
was as often to begin as to close a talk with the 
apostolic benediction. But to return to our 
Grandfather John's story. 

'T was yet a young man when John the Bap- 
tist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea 
and saying, 'Repent ye, for the Kingdom of 
Heaven is at hand.' 

"You, my children, well know the relationship 
of this remarkable man to Jesus, and the won- 
80 



AT THE JORDAN 8i 

ders which preceded his birth. His mother was 
a cousin of Mary, and he was born at Jutah, a 
city of the priests in the mountains of Judah, 
south of Hebron. Of his coming Isaiah had 
prophesied, 'The voice of him that crieth in the 
wilderness. Prepare ye the way of the Lord ; make 
straight in the desert a highway for our God.' " 

''Grandfather, will you please tell us just how 
John the Baptist looked?" asks James. 

"I will, my boy, for I well remember the morn- 
ing I saw him for the first time. Andrew and 
Simon Peter, his brother, were with me. I do 
not think I have spoken of these men before, but 
they had been friends of mine from my boyhood. 
The night before our memorable meeting with 
this mighty prophet — for that he was, both in 
name and in deed — ^we three sat on the rocky 
point which reaches out into the lake, while be- 
low, our fishing-boats, tied to the shore, rocked 
gently on the waves. Peter had been telling us 
what he had heard the day before of this man 
who had suddenly appeared, as if a spirit, out of 
the wilderness, and he said his strange appear- 
ance and his still stranger call unto all men to 
repent, were drawing many unto him. 'And who 
knows,' added Peter, 'but this may be Messiah?' 

"Andrew asked if he himself had seen this 
man, and Peter replied, 'If I had, I should have 



82 THE STORY OF JESUS 

followed him, to see what these things can mean.' 
At these words I was stirred in my soul with a 
like desire to see for myself this man of whom 
Peter spoke; and Andrew, feeling likewise 
moved, we planned to leave our fishing to my 
father's hired servants while we sought for him. 

"As no one seemed to be able to tell us where 
we could find this man, we went down from Gali- 
lee into the wilderness, seeking him. We were 
walking slowly along when we saw a man, 
clothed in camel's hair, with a leathern girdle 
about his loins, followed by a few men clothed in 
ordinary apparel. They came forth from a 
thicket of dead trees, and as the man stood before 
us, we trembled, for his eyes were sunken deep 
into his head, while from their depths flashed as 
it were fire, and his voice pierced into our very 
souls, as he said, 'Repent !' His body was so thin 
from much fasting, that it seemed as if the dry 
bones from the valley of the dead had found a 
wrinkled skin and drawn it over them, while God 
Himself had breathed into this skeleton the 
breath of life. 

"As the single word 'Repent' fell from his lips, 
which seemed parched and dry as of parchment 
drawn by heat, Peter ran forward and fell at his 
feet, saying, 'I do repent' ; when the prophet, not 
unkindly lifting him up, said, T am but a man 



AT THE JORDAN §3 

like unto you.' Andrew and myself took courage 
and drew near unto him. As we did so, the men 
that followed after him came near us, and we 
also became John's disciples. We continued in 
the wilderness, receiving the teachings of John, 
until we, too, were baptized of him in Jordan, 
confessing our sins." 

"Will you tell us something of the life of John 
the Baptist?" asks Alex. 

"He lived," answered Grandfather John, "a 
pure, humble Hfe of self-sacrifice. His garments 
were coarse, he drank only water, and ate locusts, 
which you know are only used by the poorest 
people, mixing this locust dust either with wild 
honey from the rocks, or 'manna' that drops from 
the tamarisk. He bathed often in cold water, and 
both body and soul were kept clean and pure. 

"He spoke to us of the Holy Spirit, yet we 
did not understand his teachings any more than 
we did later when Jesus talked with us also of 
the Comforter which was to come to us. 

"I ' have always rejoiced, my children, that to 
us — Andrew, Peter, and myself — were given the 
private teachings of John, for we became for a 
time his disciples in a closer sense than that of 
the multitude who followed after him, many of 
whom were drawn by mere curiosity, others by 
a real longing to repent of their sins. 



84 THE STORY OF JESUS 

"I also rejoice because as his disciples we were 
with him when Jesus came from Galilee to the 
Jordan to be baptized of him. 

''Although John was a kinsman of Jesus, the 
circumstances of life had separated them. Jesus 
dwelt as a humble carpenter in Nazareth in Gal- 
ilee, John in the seclusion of a priest's house at 
Jutah in the far south of Judah. John himself 
said twice of the time when he first saw Jesus, 
'I knew him not.' Prophet though he was, it v;as 
not until God's chosen time that it was revealed 
to him that Jesus was the Son of God. 

''It was early morning, and the sun was not 
yet high in the heavens as Andrew and I stood 
with John beside the river Jordan. Nature was 
in her brightest mood and cleanest dress, as it had 
rained the night before. Not a cloud was to be 
seen ; and we — ^John, Andrew, Peter, and myself 
— stood for some time talking of the day before 
us ; for while John the Baptist was a man before 
whose presence kings afterward trembled, he was 
of a kind heart, and gentle and loving to his dis- 
ciples. Even as we talked, the multitude began 
to gather, coming from all points of Jerusalem 
and Judea, down through the mountain path- 
ways worn by travel. In their eager haste to 
reach the Jordan, many stepped out of the paths 
and came through the tall grass to the river side, 



AT THE JORDAN 85 

crowding each other in their desire to see the 
prophet. In the press of people, Peter and I 
stood a Httle aside, and Peter drew my attention 
to a man who came through the tall grass, which 
the rain had washed clean as if for a fitting path- 
way for the sandaled feet. As he came nearer to 
us, we saw his face" — and forgetting everything 
but the precious memory of this first vision of his 
beloved. Grandfather John sits motionless, with 
a rapt expression upon his countenance. 

As Miriam breaks out with a childish exclama- 
tion, Judith raises her hand, and in a soft voice, 
says, "Hush! Grandfather is looking into the 
face of the Lord Jesus." 

After a few moments' silence, the gentle touch 
of Miriam's lips, as she presses a kiss upon his 
hand, recalls the old man from his dream, if, in- 
deed, it is not more than a dream of the past, 
and he continues : 

''My children, how can I describe that face as 
I first saw it, even before it had grown into my 
life and soul as 'the chiefest among ten thousand, 
the one altogether lovely' ? It was a kingly head, 
crowned with golden hair which caught the sun- 
shine on its waves as it was lightly lifted by the 
breeze, then dropped upon the matchless shoul- 
ders. His hair was long, almost to his waist, 
having still the softness of a baby's hair, for he 



S6 THE STORY OF JESUS 

was a Nazarene. His eyes, from beneath their 
deep brows, looked forth with the gentleness of 
the sweetest-tempered child, and as I gazed, they 
grew in strength and beauty, until I lost my soul, 
my very life, in wondering delight and love. A 
perfect form of manliness and grace, clothed in 
the long flowing robe of a Nazarene, only con- 
fined at the waist with a linen girdle, he stood 
before John, and in the majesty of his sinless 
presence, the prophet of the wilderness was even 
as a little child before him. Falling at his feet, 
John reverently pressed the hem of his garment, 
saying, 'I have need to be baptized of thee, and 
comest thou to me?' 

"And Jesus answering said, 'Suffer it to be so 
now ; for thus it becometh us to fulfill all right- 
eousness.' Then he suffered him. And Jesus, 
when he was baptized, went up straightway out 
of the water, and lo! the heavens were opened 
unto him ; and he saw the spirit of God descend- 
ing like a dove and lighting upon him. And lo ! 
a voice from heaven, saying, 'This is my beloved 
son in whom I am well pleased.' 

"As I stood near John at the baptism of Jesus, 
I saw all these things, and once the eyes of Jesus 
were turned toward me. Gladly even then would 
I have left all things to follow him ; but through 
the crowd of people he quickly passed out of my 



AT THE JORDAN 87 

sight, and I saw him not again for more than 
forty days, although I sought for him most ear- 
nestly, for already I loved him as my own soul. 
''And now, dear children, we will sing a hymn 
and return to the house, and on the morrow, the 
Lord willing, I will tell you of the temptation of 
Jesus, as given by St. Matthew." 

Down to the water came 

Our Lord that day, 
That He might show to man 

The blessed way, 
In all things to fulfill, 
The Father's holy will, 

Forever and for ayej 
And, Master, thus would we 
In following after Thee, 

God's will obey. 



CHAPTER X 

IN THE WILDERNESS 

"My dear children, we, Jesus' disciples, espe- 
cially Peter, James, and myself, used often, even 
when he was yet with us, to talk over many things 
which puzzled us. Sometimes, but not always, 
Jesus, knowing what was in our hearts, would 
declare unto us the meaning of his parables or 
sayings. I have since thought that it was not 
his intent that we should at all times understand 
him, but that he left many things to be brought 
to our remembrance and understanding when the 
Comforter should be sent unto us. 

"After Jesus left us, we talked together of the 
things we had seen while with him, comparing 
them each one with the other, and writing them 
down, as you well know. Very dear unto me 
are the gospels of St. Matthew, Mark, and Luke, 
and I have written of the things largely of which 
they have not written, and of those things which 
were most precious unto me. This book of mine, 
as well as the others which I have written, I shall 
leave as my legacy to my dear ones. In the 

88 



IN THE WILDERNESS 89 

words of Peter I can say, ^Silver and gold have 
I none, but such as I have give I thee.' 

"After Jesus left us, we used often to wish he 
was yet with us, that we might ask him the mean- 
ing of the things which we could not compre- 
hend, and even as the wish took form in our 
hearts, the promise was fulfilled which he spake 
being yet present with us, that the Comforter, 
which was the Holy Ghost, 'whom the Father 
will send in my name. He shall teach you all 
things, and bring all things to your remem- 
brance, whatsoever I have said unto you.' 

"Even though this promise was again and yet 
many times again fulfilled unto us, we were never 
able to understand all mystery, and one of these 
mysteries was the temptation of Jesus. 

"While I talk of this, my children, as of other 
things that I may in future do, I wish you to 
understand that not all I say is of authority. 
Some things I speak of myself, as man speaks, 
but when I use the words of Jesus, I neither add 
to nor take from them, but use his exact words, 
either as recorded by my brother disciples, or 
as remembered by myself. That we may be thus 
exact, I have asked James to bring with him the 
roll of St. Matthew, and he will open at the chap- 
ter beginning Then was Jesus led up of the spirit 
into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil.' 



90 THE STORY OF JESUS 

St. Mark says, 'And immediately the spirit driv- 
eth him into the wilderness/ and adds, 'And he 
was with the wild beasts.' 

"As I said yesterday, after Jesus went up from 
the river Jordan, he passed out of sight, and 
although we sought for him we could not find 
him. I have heard it said that the place of his 
temptation was the mountain to the west of Jeri- 
cho. Going up directly from his baptism, where 
God his Father had spoken to him out of heaven, 
calling him His beloved son, in whom He was 
well pleased, alone with his Father, what blessed- 
ness must have been his, as he thought of the 
scene at the river Jordan ! In the silence of the 
wilderness, his memory, no doubt, went back 
over his past life, his quiet life in Nazareth, his 
dreams, both waking and sleeping, of the future 
not yet wholly revealed to him. He thought of 
the story his mother had told to him, of the won- 
ders preceding his birth, of his own hope, at first 
faint as the streak of light at the dawn of morn- 
ing, but growing brighter into the perfect day, 
that he, Mary's son, was yet to bring deliverance 
unto his people Israel. And now the voice of the 
prophet of God, and the voice of God Himself, 
had proclaimed him to be the Messiah. It may 
have been that now for the first time he fully 
understood himself and his mission. On the 



IN THE WILDERNESS 9^ 

mountain heights of Jericho, in an exaltation of 
spirit beyond our conception, yet of which at 
times we catch faint glimpses, the Son of God, 
who is yet the Son of Man, was tempted in all 
points like as we are, yet without sin. He had 
thought to be alone with his Father, but for a 
time the Father's face seemed hidden from him, 
and he was tempted of the devii. 

''My children, to you, too, the greatest temp- 
tations of life may come when lifted up on the 
mountain height of thought, feeling, and experi- 
ence. It is when we think ourselves nearest God 
and beyond the reach of temptation, that the 
devil seeks us, even as he did Jesus, and in the 
same way as Jesus overcame him, so may we." 

"But, Grandfather John, Jesus was divine; 
we are but human. How can this be?" asks 
Alex. 

"The deeper our nature, the greater the temp- 
tation," answers Grandfather John. "I think you 
will understand this better as we go on, although, 
as I said, I have not the gift to explain all mys- 
tery. This much I think I can say : There can 
come to us no temptation in life that we may not 
overcome in the same way, using the same 
method as did our Saviour. 

"James, you may read from St. Matthew the 
first temptation." 



92 THE STORY OF JESUS 

And James reads : ''And when he had fasted 
forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an 
hungered. And when the tempter came to him, 
he said, If thou be the Son of God, command 
that these stones be made bread. But he an- 
swered, and said. It is written, Man shall not live 
by bread alone, but by every word that proceed- 
eth out of the moAith of God." 

"My children, I have thought that this first 
temptation came in the early morning, after his 
long fast. Faint from hunger, weary from loss 
of sleep, the very stones took upon themselves 
the shape and semblance of bread, and the temp- 
ter, taking advantage of the feebleness of nature, 
and suggesting to Jesus what he must have al- 
ready been conscious of, that he had power over 
and beyond nature, says, 'If thou be the Son of 
God, command that these stones be made bread.' 
But Jesus had consented to live as man lived, 
subject to the limitations of man's nature, 
depending upon God for supply of daily food 
obtained for his own use in ordinary ways, and 
using the words of Scripture, even as we may 
when tempted to give up spiritual good for tem- 
poral, Jesus replied, 'Man shall not live by bread 
alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of 
the mouth of God.'* 

♦Altered from Edersheim's The Life and Times of 
Jesus. 



IN THE WILDERNESS 93 

"But, grandfather," exclaims Andrew, "this 
is beyond us. It may be that a man like father 
could understand it and be helped, but we are 
girls and boys, and yet we have our temptations." 

"Very true, my son; perhaps I can illustrate, 
and thus make it clearer to you. You, my boys, 
are proud that you can run a long race, can climb 
a high mountain, and you hope to become strong 
men. You pray each day for daily bread ; eating 
this bread that is given you, you become able to 
do these things. But this bread made of flour 
is not the only bread you need. You need to 
have strong souls as well as bodies, or you will 
run a race into evil, climb over the high moun- 
tains, and go down into the valleys of sin and 
death. To have strong souls as well as bodies, 
you need the bread of eternal life. The tempter 
will not ask you to change the stones into bread, 
but he will try to make you believe that the stones 
themselves are bread." 

"Why, grandfather, what do you mean by 
that, the stones being bread?" exclaims Alex. 

"I mean," continues grandfather, "that Satan 
would have you go to the world, the flesh, and 
the devil for food, and in turn he will give you 
stones for bread, husks for kernels of wheat, and 
death as reward for life's service to him." 



94 THE STORY OF JESUS 

"How can we escape from these temptations?" 
asks Andrew. 

"As Jesus did, by the word of God, by feed- 
ing upon the true bread that cometh down from 
heaven. 

"Now, Judith, James may pass the roll to you, 
and you may read the second temptation of 
Jesus." 

"Then the devil taketh him up into the holy 
city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 
and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, 
cast thyself down, for it is written. He shall give 
his angels charge concerning thee : and in their 
hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time 
thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said 
unto him. It is written again, Thou shalt not 
tempt the Lord thy God." 

"The early dawn of the first temptation has 
changed to the glory of full sunrise, and Jesus 
stands upon the pinnacle of the temple. Proba- 
bly the early morning sacrifice has been offered 
by the priests, in the priests' court below, and 
temple gates are open while the silver trumpets 
call Israel to begin a new day with worship of the 
Lord. 

"What an opportunity to prove his divinity 
by casting himself down and letting God's angels 
bear him up in their hands ! Satan now quotes 



IN THE WILDERNESS 95 

Scripture. The first temptation Jesus overcomes 
by a simple trust in God that He will provide 
food in His own time and way. Now Satan uses 
this thought of trusting God as a temptation. 
He says : Trust God and he shall bear thee up.' 
But the Lord's answer is, 'Thou shalt not tempt 
the Lord thy God.' "* 

"Grandfather, how can we be guilty of tempt- 
ing God?" says James. 

''We would tempt God if we put ourselves in 
needless danger and expected Him to care for 
us. If Daniel had gone into a den of lions except 
at the command of duty, it would have been 
tempting God. If you boys go into needless 
danger or temptation, and then expect the angels 
who do always behold the face of our Father who 
art in heaven, and who have special care over 
children, to protect you, you would be tempting 
God, and would have no claim to the protecting 
care of good angels or of God. It is a solemn 
thing to tempt the Lord our God. May the good 
Lord watch over you, my children, and keep you 
from this sin. 

"Doris may read the third and last tempta- 
tion." 

"Again, the devil taketh him up into an ex- 

* Altered from Edersheim's The Life and Times of 
Jesus. 



96 THE STORY OF JESUS 

ceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the 
kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them ; 
and saith unto him, All these things will I give 
thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then 
saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan : for 
it is written. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy 
God, and Him only shalt thou serve." 

''No doubt, this time it was noon, and the sun 
was high in the heavens. In some way, I know 
not how, it was given to Jesus to behold the 
world in all its glory. What a vision for the 
humble Nazarene who all his life had lived as a 
simple villager, a workman at a carpenter's 
bench! Now he sees Jerusalem, the wonderful 
city, at his feet, far-o£f Rome, Egypt, India, the 
islands of the sea; the past, the present, the fu- 
ture, of all countries of the world. More than 
these, the world of art and science and thought, 
all spread as in a panorama before him, all to be 
his at a word. As if to mock him, there may have 
passed also before him, a vision of his life of suf- 
fering and of his rejection by his own nation. If 
Satan took himself out of the world, as he prom- 
ised to do, at a single word of homage, how much 
easier it would be to win the kingdoms of the 
world to be the Lord's and his Christ's! With 
the fact that he would not have kept his word, 
nor had it in his power to give all he promised. 



IN THE WILDERNESS ' 97 

we have nothing to do, but with the reply of 
Jesus, 'Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and 
Him only shalt thou serve.' " 

''Grandfather, we shall never be offered the 
kingdoms of the world," said Alex. 

"Ah, my boy, Satan may not offer to you the 
whole world, but he will offer you parts of it, and 
not once, but many times. You know of the 
persecutions which have been in Jerusalem, and 
although just now there is quiet, who can tell 
what is before you, my children? It may be 
given to you to give up all things, even life itself, 
for the Lord Jesus. Even as I speak to you, the 
sun shines upon the statue of the goddess Diana. 
Who knows but to you may come the temptation 
to fall down and worship at her shrine, or yield 
up life for the Master's sake? And even if these 
things do not come upon you, it is possible that 
these dear girls may become worshipers of self, 
in that they seek not the kingdom of God and 
His righteousness, but live as do the heathen, 
only for their own pleasure and happiness." 

"Dear grandfather," says Judith, as she comes 
forward and throws her arms around his neck, 
"pray for us, that this may not become true 
of us!" 

They kneel, and the dear old man tenderly 
commits them to the care of Our Father and His 
Son. 



CHAPTER XI 

THE FIRST DISCIPLES 

"I have told you, my children, how strongly 
I was drawn to Jesus by his personal presence, 
when he came to John for baptism. You will 
remember the wonderful scenes at the baptism, 
and our story of yesterday of the temptation in 
the wilderness. Many times during his forty 
days' absence in the wilderness, Peter, Andrew, 
and myself talked of this man, and wondered 
what it could all mean. Was he also to be a 
prophet like unto John the Baptist? 

"We three had followed John from an early 
time in his ministry, and we were greatly at- 
tached to him. Andrew, who was not with us at 
the baptism, and who felt jealous for John's suc- 
cess, was greatly displeased with us for our inter- 
est in Jesus, saying we were not truly John's dis- 
ciples, or we would not be seeking for another 
prophet. 

"One day we were with John near the bor- 
ders of the wilderness, when we met Jesus coming 
toward us out of the wilderness. As I first saw 

98 



THE FIRST DISCIPLES . 99 

his face, I noticed that it was strangely worn, as 
from long fasting, but it shone with a light as of 
one who had seen a vision of angels. As he came 
nearer, I called the attention of John the Bap- 
tist to him, and with one long look at Jesus, he 
turned to us, and said, 'Behold the Lamb of God/ 
Without another word John went on his way, 
and after a moment's hesitation, Andrew, too, 
notwithstanding his previous words, came with 
me, and we followed after Jesus. 

"Then it was that Jesus turned to us and spoke 
to us for the first time, saying, 'What seek ye?' 
and we answered, 'Rabbi, where dwellest thou?' 
and he said, 'Come and see.' And we remained 
with him the rest of the day, for it was the tenth 
hour." 

"Grandfather, do you mean the tenth hour as 
we now count time, or as you and father did when 
you lived in Jerusalem?" 

"My boy, I have learned in the many years 
of living among the Gentiles, especially in this 
our city of Ephesus, to reckon time as do the 
Romans ; and it was yet two hours before noon ; 
I should say about this very hour of the day, that 
I first heard Jesus speak to me, and followed 
after him. 

"We spent the day, Andrew and I, with him, 
my first day with Jesus," and the old man's voice 

LofC. 



lOO THE STORY OF JESUS 

faltered, and his eyes filled with tears, as the ten- 
der memories of that day came before him. 

"Jesus was so unlike John ! Even in that one 
day we drew nearer to him than we had been able 
to do to John in the months of following him. 
Jesus seemed to understand not only our 
thoughts and feelings, but our very natures. I, 
as you know, loved him at my first look upon 
him; Andrew, in his loyalty to John, was, as I 
before said, inclined to be jealous for him. But 
he could not long resist his persuasive lovingness. 
I found myself telling Jesus all things that I had 
thought, felt, or dreamed. 

"He was very patient in answering our in- 
quiries as to our duty to God and to our fellow- 
men. But there was a gentle dignity that forbade 
all personal questions. 

"As evening drew near, we felt that it was 
now time for us to leave him. There was some- 
thing in his look that forbade our longer stay, 
and we returned to John and told him of Jesus 
and his words. I kept nothing back, but told 
John how I loved Jesus, and he spake those 
words which he afterward repeated to the Jews. 
'He that hath the bride is the bridegroom, but the 
friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and 
heareth him, rejoiceth greatly, because of the 



I 



THE FIRST DISCIPLES loi 

bridegroom's voice. This my joy therefore is 
fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.' 

'That night was the last that Andrew, Peter, 
and I spent with the great prophet, John the Bap- 
tist. With his knowledge and blessing we left 
him to go after Jesus. 

'Teter was not with us the day before, and it 
was Andrew's first thought to find his brother, 
and when he did so, he said unto him, 'We have 
found the Messiah,' and he brought him to Jesus. 
And when Jesus beheld him, he said, 'Thou art 
Simon the son of Jonah. Thou shalt be called 
Cephas, which is by interpretation, a stone.' " 

"Grandfather," says Alex, 'T really do not see 
why Peter, of all the apostles, should have been 
given a name which means a stone. He seems 
to me to be the very one most easily moved." 

"Ah, my son, that was just where Jesus saw, 
not as man sees, or as would you or I have seen. 
Peter, as a boy and a young man, was impulsive 
and unstable, but Jesus saw in him the man he 
was to be, the mighty preacher on the day of 
Pentecost, the foremost of the apostles, and suf- 
fering persecution for Christ's sake. More than 
that, I think he, looking into Peter's heart, saw 
that above all things else, it was his desire to be 
a man of strong purpose and calm reasoning, 



I02 THE STORY OF JESUS 

instead of the man he knew himself to be. Just 
as you, Andrew, desire to be less impulsive and 
more resolute, and you, James, more enthusiastic 
and quicker of thought, while Judith would have 
Doris's keen perception of what is true and beau- 
tiful, and Doris longs for Judith's thoughtfulness 
and good judgment. 

"One of the reasons that we, his disciples, so 
loved our Master, was that he knew our best, and 
helped us to make the best of ourselves. He was 
the hero of all heroes .to us, both in the daily life 
we lived with him, and in the public life he lived, 
in which he spake such words as never man spake, 
and did such mighty works as never man did. 
You, James, Andrew, and Alex, are hero-wor- 
shipers : James and Andrew, with patriotic devo- 
tion, shouting the praises of Moses, Joshua, Saul, 
and King David ; Alex of Pericles, Leonidas, and 
Alexander, and Doris of the Spartan woman and 
Roman matron ; and Judith of Miriam, Deborah, 
Ruth, and Esther; but the kingliest hero, who 
was without a single stain upon his public or 
private life, which cannot be said of any one of 
your heroes, he who was manly above the man- 
liest man, and gentle with a gentleness above 
that of the gentlest woman, is our Lord Jesus 
Christ. I pray, my children, that you take him 
to be your hero, as well as your Lord and Master. 



THE FIRST DISCIPLES 103 

Oh ! would that you could see with my eyes his 
beauty and loveliness, and hear as my ears have 
heard the wonderful words that fell from his lips." 

As the old man becomes lost in thought, Doris 
whispers to Judith, "Do you not think the dear 
grandfather looks very much as Jesus must have 
looked?" 

"Yes, Doris, because he is Hke him. Do you 
not remember that father told us that even the 
Jews, when they saw the disciples, took knowl- 
edge of them that they had been with Jesus and 
learned of him? And mother says that we too 
may show in our lives that we have been with 
Jesus." 

"But, girls," says Alex, "although I, too, 
think that grandfather must look like Jesus, still 
he is an old, old man, and you know that Jesus 
was but thirty-three years old when he went unto 
his Father." 

Grandfather John, in his reverie, has caught 
only the last words of Alex, and rousing himself, 
his eyes light up as with a prophet's fire, as he 
says, "Before Abraham was, I am." 

"Grandfather," says Andrew, who is becom- 
ing impatient for the story, as the talk is often 
beyond his understanding, "how soon did Peter 
and the others become his disciples?" 

"All in good time, my son. I do not know 



I04 THE STORY OF JESUS 

as I have explained that, although in my heart 
I was already a follower of Jesus, it was not until 
a few days later that I really became one of those 
who are called of Jesus to be his disciples. 

"It was in this wise : One beautiful morning, 
Peter and Andrew, father, brother James, and 
myself, went out on the Sea of Galilee to fish. 
Peter and Andrew were in their boat, while 
father, brother James, and myself were in our 
larger ship. The boats became separated, and 
we were very successful, having a large draught 
of fishes. So great was the weight that our net 
was broken, and returning to shore we drew our 
ship to land, and were soon busy mending it. 
I remember, I was telling father and James 
of the visit of Andrew and myself with Jesus, 
when I looked up and saw Jesus coming along 
the shore toward us; and with him were Peter 
and Andrew. As he came near he called to us. 
With what joy I heard the call of Jesus, and 
James also went with me gladly." 

"And your father?" inquired Andrew. 

"Father did not at this time become one of 
Jesus' disciples. It was not until two years after 
that he believed on him. But he said to us that 
we were men, and must choose for ourselves what 
we would do and whom we would serve." 

"Did your father know or did you understand 



THE FIRST DISCIPLES 105 

that you had given up fishing and become Jesus* 
disciples?" asked James. 

"Not fully that morning. We only knew that 
Jesus called us and we gladly followed him." 

'That is not unlike what it is to-day," says 
Judith. "Mother says we ought to be ready to 
go wherever and whenever Jesus calls us, not 
knowing the way, or even what he has for us in 
the future." 

"Your mother is right, my dear. She, like 
Mary, has chosen the good part, and may you be 
worthy daughters of such a mother. 

"But the noon hour has come, and I am weary, 
and must hasten to conclude the story of the 
morning. 

"And Jesus findeth Philip, and saith unto him, 
ToUow me,' and Philip findeth Nathaniel. We 
were now six disciples — Peter, Andrew, Philip, 
Nathaniel, James, and myself; and we all re- 
turned with Jesus to Galilee. On the morrow 
we will go with Jesus to the wedding in Cana of 
Galilee." 



CHAPTER XII 

THE WEDDING 

When the children next came together for 
the story, the usual question was asked, ''Where 
shall we go?" 

Judith, who was more thoughtful than the 
rest, having noticed that Grandfather John 
seemed to enjoy best the comfortable porch, sug- 
gested that this be their usual place for story- 
telling. To this the others readily agreed, and 
unless otherwise mentioned, from this time we 
will think of the group as gathered together 
there. 

''My children, thus far I have given you the 
story of Jesus as nearly as possible in the order 
in which the more prominent events took place. 
From thenceforth, I can only take here and there 
a story which seems to me will be of most inter- 
est and most helpful to you. . You will know, 
dear children, that while I gladly tell, to give you 
pleasure, this the most beautiful and wonderful 
story that has ever been told, in my heart of 
hearts I most greatly desire that Jesus may be- 

io6 



THE WEDDING 107 

come, not only the hero of all heroes to you, your 
loved Lord and Master, but your Saviour as well. 

'The story I have chosen for you to-day is 
of the wedding in Cana of Galilee." 

"The story of a wedding — I am so glad !" ex- 
claims Judith. 

"And so am I," says Doris. 

James smiles as he looks toward Alex and 
says, "You girls are always wanting to hear about 
weddings." 

"No more than you boys," says Judith. "Who 
was it that followed a wedding procession a week 
ago this very night, until mother became anxious 
and sent Baanah to look for you?" 

At this James and Alex have no more to say, 
and grandfather, who has listened to their 
friendly disputes, says, gently : 

"You boys have no reason to chide the girls 
for their interest in weddings, or to disclaim your 
own. Marriage is not only the most interesting 
event of life, but among our own people there 
is no institution regarded as more sacred, and 
our dear Jesus himself has placed the seal of his 
approval on it, by his presence, and by the per- 
formance of his first miracle at a wedding. 

"You will remember that there were now six 
of us who had become disciples of Jesus — An- 
drew, Peter, James, Nathaniel, and myself. And 



io8 THE STORY OF JESUS 

we all went with Jesus into Galilee to the home 
of Aunt Mary, whose husband, Joseph, had died 
some years previous. 

''We found that Aunt Mary and her sons and 
daughters had gone to the wedding of their 
cousin Achsa, the daughter of Alpheus. As 
Jesus had an invitation to the wedding, accord- 
ing to custom, we, his disciples, were at liberty 
to go with him, although we would be unex- 
pected guests. 

"Had there been time to do so, we, Peter, 
James, and myself, would have provided some- 
thing for the feast ; but it was only by quick jour- 
neying that we reached Cana and the home of the 
bridegroom, Levi, son of Michah. 

"The bride, one of the fairest among women, 
dressed in her beautiful robes, a crown of flowers 
on her head, and her long veil wrought of silver 
and golden threads, covering her as a flowing 
garment, had, attended by her damsels, already 
reached the home of the bridegroom. The bride- 
groom and his friends, bearing torches and sing- 
ing songs of rejoicing, had met them and accom- 
panied them the latter part of the way, and they 
had already been received by the mother of the 
bridegroom, who with Orpah, the mother of the 
bride, and Aunt Mary, who was, as you know, 
aunt also to the bride, were in an inner room, 



THE WEDDING 109 

waiting for the summons to the marriage sup- 
per. Jesus seated himself in one corner of the 
feast room, and we, his disciples, gathered around 
him. There was a burst of music from viols, 
timbrels, and pipes, and the wedding party came 
in and were given the first seats at the table. 

''Aunt Mary, being a kinswoman of the bride, 
was of the wedding party, and when all were 
seated, she turned about to give some instruc- 
tions to one of the servants, for to her was given 
the oversight of the serving. As she turned, she 
saw Jesus, and thus her eye fell upon us who sat 
with him. Her face brightened as she looked 
upon her son, but a shadow of trouble came over 
it as she looked down the long table and saw that 
every seat upon the couches was filled. I under- 
stood her trouble; she was seeking a seat for 
Jesus, who, as kinsman, had by right a place at 
the table. James and myself might also have 
been given places, on account of our kinship, but 
there were also Peter, Andrew, Philip, and Na- 
thaniel. 

'T think Jesus saw her troubled look, and with 
the lovelight in his eyes which always shone 
when he looked into the face of his mother, he 
shook his head slightly, and waved his right hand 
toward us, as if to include us with himself. His 
mother seemed to understand that he chose to 



no THE STORY OF JESUS 

remain with us rather than be given a place with- 
out us at the table, or cause embarrassment by- 
seeking places for the entire party, when there 
was scarce room for himself." 

"Grandfather," asks Judith, ''this feast was on 
the first night of the wedding. For how many- 
days and nights did the celebration continue?" 

"You know, my dear, that weddings are often 
extended over seven days, but simple folks are 
usually content with two or three days, and 
Michah, though not of the richest class, was far 
from poor, and could well afford the two days 
which were spent in celebrating the wedding of 
his son. Alpheus and Nannah had also provided 
good things as their portion for the marriage 
feast of their daughter. The supper of which I 
now speak was on the first night, and the day 
and night following were given to the usual 
feasts and rejoicings. During this time, Aunt 
Mary took care that Jesus, and with him our- 
selves, were given good places, and Jesus walked 
among his kinsfolk and the friends of the bride- 
groom as an honored guest. 

"It was Jesus' way to make all those about him 
happier and better for his presence, and even be- 
fore the evening of the second day, whereon oc- 
curred the miracle of turning the water into wine, 
he had not only won honor by his dignified pres- 



THE WEDDING v 1 1 1 

ence, but kindly regard by his thoughtfulness in 
assisting those who had charge of the festivities. 

"There were others beside his disciples who 
had unexpectedly come to the wedding. As you 
know, it is not uncommon for those who are 
bidden themselves, to bring with them some 
chosen friend or friends, and it was no fault of 
those who had provided, as they thought, a full 
measure of wine, that near the close of the last 
supper of the wedding feast, the vessels that held 
the wine were found nearly empty. 

"In his distress, the friend of the bridegroom 
who had charge of the feast, came to Aunt Mary, 
who on the part of the bride was assisting in the 
entertainment, and said, 'What shall we do, for 
the wine has run out?' 

"When Aunt Mary learned that there was no 
more wine and the supper was not yet ended, 
she came and told Jesus, saying. They have no 
wine.' 

"I was standing near Jesus when she spoke 
to him, and heard his reply : 'Woman, what have 
I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come.' " 

"Oh, grandfather !" exclaims Doris, "why did 
he say 'woman' and not 'mother'?" 

"I, too, wonder, grandfather," says Alex, "it 
sounds so harsh." 

"My dears, you are forgetting the meaning of 



112 THE STORY OF JESUS 

the word woman, which in our language indicates 
everything that is most queenly and tender, nor 
did you see, as I did, the reverent, loving look 
he gave his mother as he made this reply. Aunt 
Mary understood him, and, turning to the ser- 
vants who stood waiting with their empty vessels, 
said, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.' 

''As you know, my dears, there is much water 
required to be used for guests at a wedding feast, 
for washing of the hands, before and after eating, 
as well as bathing the feet of those who come 
and go during the several days of the continuous 
feast; and in the little room outside the room 
where the feast was spread, there were set six 
water-pots of stone, containing two or three fir- 
kins apiece. 

"Jesus therefore said unto them. Till the 
water-pots with water.' And they filled them up 
to the brim. And he saith unto them, 'Draw out 
now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.' 
And they bear it. When the ruler of the feast 
had tasted the water that was made wine, and 
knew not whence it was (but the servants which 
drew the water knew), the governor of the feast 
called the bridegroom, and saith unto him, 
'Every man at the beginning doth set forth good 
wine ; and when men have well drunk, then that 



THE WEDDING 113 

which is worse ; but thou hast kept the good wine 
until now/ 

"Ah, my children, Aunt Mary could well trust 
Jesus with this trouble, knowing he would not 
fail to do wisely when his hour had come. 

"It was like Jesus to come to this marriage, 
and in his own loving way smooth out the dif- 
ficulties which would have brought sorrow to the 
hearts of these young people who had chosen 
each other out of all the world for husband and 
wife. It was like Jesus then, it is like Jesus now, 
to come into the home, bringing joy and glad- 
ness, comforting not only those who are in bitter 
sorrow, but also entering into the everyday trials, 
even removing when it is best, the annoyances 
which must necessarily come even to those who 
are of the household of faith. 

"What a mistake it would have been not to 
have asked Jesus to this wedding ! What a mis- 
take it is when we fail to invite Jesus, not only to 
our weddings, but to be a constant inmate of our 
homes !" 

"But, grandfather," says Judith, "how can we 
have Jesus with us now?" 

"Just so, my child, we disciples, in our blind- 
ness, mourned for our absent Master when he 
first left us, but we learned later to know and 



114 THE STORY OF JESUS 

feel sure that while absent from us in body, he 
was ever present with us in spirit." 

''Grandfather," says James, "did many of the 
people at the wedding believe on Jesus?" 

"Not many at this time. You remember that 
only the servants and we, his disciples, with 
Mary, his mother, and a very few others who 
stood by, knew of the water that was made wine. 
And although we spoke of these things unto 
others, it was then as now that not all paid heed 
to the things that were spoken unto them. But 
afterward, when Jesus performed other miracles, 
there were some who remembered what the ser- 
vants and we ourselves had told them of this mir- 
acle, and became Jesus' disciples. But I scarcely 
need say that we, his disciples, before whom he 
had manifested his glory, believed on him. 

"At the close of the wedding feast, Jesus, his 
mother, and his brethren, and we, his disciples, 
went together down to Capernaum, where we 
continued not many days. From this time, as 
far as Jesus had a home, it was at Capernaum, 
which he called his own city. 

"As we went on our way, we talked over the 
scenes of the wedding, just as you, James and 
Judith, did, when you returned from the wedding 
of your cousin Mary to Mark, a short time ago. 
While thus talking, there arose a dispute between 



THE WEDDING 115 

the brethren of Jesus, and Peter and James, as 
to the miracle. For as yet his brethren did not 
beHeve on Jesus. In this dispute, Jesus took no 
part, nor could Mary altogether prevent the bit- 
ter words spoken by Jesus' brothers, who were 
unwilling to believe that he who had dwelt with 
them, working at the bench of the carpenter, 
was to be greater than they. 

"J^sus, as he walked with us, seemed not as 
one of us. I have since thought his mind was 
so intent on heavenly things as to be above the 
earth and things earthly. There were other 
times, however, as when he said, 'A prophet 
hath no honor in his own country,' when it must 
have been a keen sorrow that they of his own 
household were among the last to believe on him. 
His mother was the one exception. Of course, 
she did not fully understand his work. Even we, 
his disciples who went about with him day by 
day, could not do that. And Mary, who abode, 
as was fitting, in her own home, largely learned 
through others of his mighty works. But from 
the first she had faith in her son Jesus." 



CHAPTER XIII 

THE TEMPLE CLEANSED 

^'Yesterday you followed Jesus, his mother, 
brethren, and disciples to Capernaum. I have 
said that this was henceforth to be called Jesus' 
home, although home in the usual sense of the 
word he had none. You remember the verse that 
your Mother Ruth taught Miriam, and which the 
dear child repeated at our morning prayer* 'The 
foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have 
nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay 
his head.' 

''There were homes which gladly received the 
Master as the best loved and most honored guest, 
but Jesus seems to have chosen to be homeless, 
that he might be homesick, weary, and worn, as 
well as tempted, for our sakes,. 

"Dear children, not to all are given homes 
such as yours. In my many journeyings, both 
by land and sea, I have found wanderers without 
friend or home. To them I have told again and 
again the story of Jesus, who, leaving his Father's 
house in the heavens, came down to this earth 

ii6 



THE TEMPLE CLEANSED n? 

of ours to be born in a stable, cradled in a manger, 
and when grown to manhood, to live for three 
years without a home, save what was given him 
at the hand of loving charity. Do you wonder, 
children, that such a Saviour is just the one a 
homesick wanderer upon the face of the earth 
is glad to take for his own?" 

"Grandfather, was not the home of Peter at 
Capernaum?" asks Andrew. 

"Yes, my son, and to this home Jesus was 
gladly welcomed, both by Peter, his wife, and his 
wife's mother, who lived with them." 

"How could Peter be Jesus' disciple, and yet 
have a home?" asks Judith. 

"You have already seen, as in the story of the 
wedding at Cana, that Jesus approved of home- 
life. Peter, while following after Jesus to learn 
of him, was yet often at home, and Jesus, as I 
before said, sometimes accompanied him." 

"But, grandfather, what did Jesus mean when 
he said, 'If any man come to me, and hate not 
his father and mother, and wife and children, and 
brethren and sisters, yea, and his own life also, 
he cannot be my disciple'?" 

"I think, my dear, it was not Jesus' intent to 
teach that children should be ungrateful or neg- 
lectful of their duty to parents, or that husbands 
should forsake their wives, or wives their hus- 



ii8 THE STORY OF JESUS 

bands. You know how tenderly Jesus cared for 
his own mother, even in his agony on the cross. 
You remember he said at another time, 'He that 
loveth father or mother more than me is not 
worthy of me ; and he that loveth son or daughter 
more than me is not worthy of me. He that find- 
eth his life shall lose it ; and he that loseth his life 
for my sake, shall find it.' 

''Ah, my children, in the early persecution 
which followed the death and resurrection of our 
Lord Jesus, there were many who gave up houses 
and lands, father and mother, wife and children 
for Jesus' sake and the Gospel. And much I fear 
from the signs of the times, that greater perse- 
cutions are yet to come. It may be in your day, 
and God grant you may be faithful even unto 
death, as was the godly Stephen, and my beloved 
brother James, and many others of whom you 
have heard. But we will return to our story. 

*"Capernaum was at this time one of the 
most delightful places in the gardens of the 
Princes as the Rabbis interpreted Gennesaret. 
The town lay quite upon the northwestern shore, 
only two miles from where the Jordan falls into 
the Lake Gennesaret."* It was in this lovely 
place that we tarried for a few days, after the wed- 

*Edersheim's Life and Times of Jesus. 



THE TEMPLE CLEANSED 119 

ding. Then we went up to Jerusalem with Jesus, 
for the Passover was at hand. 

"It was now early spring. How well I re- 
member our journey of between three and four 
days, from Capernaum to Jerusalem ! There was 
a great variety of scenery and constant change of 
vegetation. On the shores of Lake Gennesaret 
were those plants which only grow in warm coun- 
tries and require constant care ; while the valley 
of the Jordan was wild and uncared for, and 
brought to my memory my life with John the 
Baptist. On the plain of Gennesaret were fields 
of grain white unto the harvest, and fig trees in 
blossom. Living springs of water watered the 
land, which was fruitful and tilled by husband- 
men who received rich return for their labor. 

"As I said, great was the change from this 
plain to the desert, as this part of the valley of 
the Jordan is called, through which we must 
needs pass on our way to Jerusalem. I cannot 
take time to tell you of our journey day by day, 
but it is full of loving memories of talks with our 
Master, as we passed through the country where 
the great prophet Elijah had his home, and where 
David found a place of concealment when pur- 
sued by Absalom. 

"Jesus had been taught in Old Testament 



I20 THE STORY OF JESUS 

Scripture, and, moreover, he seemed to us to 
have new thoughts in regard to the meanings of 
these things, and we wondered as we Hstened to 
the words of his mouth. And as we mused, the 
fire burned in our hearts. Ah, my children, not 
only when he afterward taught in the temple did 
he open to us the Scripture, but by the wayside, 
as we walked, and on the mountain-top, as we 
rested, he spake unto us as never man spake. 

"As we came near Jerusalem, we broke into 
song, 'I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from 
whence cometh my help,' and then, I was glad 
when they said unto me, 'Let us go into the house 
of the Lord/ 

"As we sang these songs of Zion, Peter said 
to me, 'Look upon the face of Rabboni,' and I 
looked, and saw that it was as the face of an 
angel. 

"With songs of rejoicing on our lips and with 
reverent thanksgiving in our hearts, we drew 
near the temple. But as we entered the outer 
court, there was such a noise, such a tumult as 
I had never before heard in that holy place. 
Oxen were lowing, sheep bleating, and men 
shouting unto each other the prices of the beasts 
offered for temple sacrifice. Then there were 
those who sold doves, contending one with an- 
other, and crying out to those who came to buy. 



THE TEMPLE CLEANSED 121 

And around tables in adjoining courts, sat money- 
changers, who were angrily disputing with each 
other and the people who came to change their 
money for the temple shekel." 

"But, grandfather, was it not needful that 
those who came to sacrifice should buy doves and 
oxen, and exchange their money for the money 
required by Jewish law?" says James. 

''Yes, my son, but all these things were being 
done in the court of the Gentiles, which, was a 
part of the temple itself. In former times it had 
been allowed only in booths outside, and far 
enough removed so that the quiet befitting the 
courts of God's house was not disturbed. 

"As we entered the court of the Gentiles, Jesus 
stood speechless, and for a few moments motion- 
less, as if paralyzed and struck dumb by the sight 
of this desecration. Then the color crept into 
his usually pale face, and his lips were pressed 
together and the eyes which I had only thus far 
seen beam with tender kindliness, flashed with 
indignation. Near him lay some rushes* used 
for weaving baskets. Of these he made a scourge 
and drove out the sheep and oxen. Even in his 
indignation, I noticed that he was not ungentle 
with the beasts, while his eyes were turned with 
indignant scorn toward their keepers, at whose 

* Caijon Farrar's Life of Christ. 



122 THE STORY OF JESUS 

command the blameless brutes were polluting the 
very entrance into Jehovah's temple. 

*'At one end of this court, and extending into 
adjoining rooms, were the money-changers. 
With a majesty of bearing which I cannot de- 
scribe, he advanced to these, and with a sweep 
of his hand overturned their tables. The money 
which was before in neat piles of the various coins 
needed, fell with cHnking sound upon the floor, 
and with but one look of awe and fear toward the 
kingly form before them, the men fell upon the 
floor, groveling like the beasts they were, for the 
coins, which, as if in eager haste to escape, were 
rolling into dark corners. 

''Passing on, he came to the baskets that held 
the doves. I thought his face seemed to soften 
as his eyes fell upon these gentle birds. But his 
voice rang out clear and with no uncertain sound, 
as he said, 'Take these things hence. Make not 
my Father's house a house of merchandise.' And 
I recalled, and repeated to Peter, who stood look- 
ing on with astonishment, not unmixed with de- 
light, as he saw the motley crowd ejected from 
the court, the words of the psalmist, 'The zeal of 
thine house hath eaten me up.' " 

"Grandfather, why did not the people who 
sold the oxen and doves, and the money-chang- 



THE TEMPLE CLEANSED 123 

ers whose tables were overturned, object, and 
resist this dismissal?" asks Alex. 

"Why did Saul suffer Samuel to beard him in 
the very presence of his army? Why did David 
obey the orders of Joab? Why did Ahab not 
dare arrest Elijah, at the door of Naboth's vine- 
yard? Because sin is weakness. Because there 
is nothing in the world so abject as a guilty con- 
science, nothing so invincible as a God-like in- 
dignation against what is base and wrong. Base 
as these men were, they knew the Son of Man 
was right."'*' 

"Grandfather, what did the priests, Pharisees, 
and other of the Jews, have to say about the ejec- 
tion of those they had themselves allowed to 
come into the temple?" asks James. 

"Even they would not condemn an act which 
they knew to be in accordance with their laws 
and traditions. As they could find no fault with 
the act, they could only turn upon Jesus and ask 
his authority for doing it. So they said, 'What 
sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest 
these things?' 

"Jesus answered and said unto them, 'Destroy 
this temple and in three days I will raise it up.' 

"Then said the Jews, 'Forty and six years was 

* Canon Farrar's Life of Christ. 



124 THE STORY OF JESUS 

this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up 
in three days?' 

"With no less astonishment did we, his dis- 
ciples, hear these words than did the others. It 
was not until after the resurrection that we un- 
derstood that he spake of the temple of his body. 
Then we believed the Scripture and the word that 
Jesus had said." 

''But, grandfather," exclaims Judith, ''that 
was long afterward. What did you think of the 
strange scene at the time?" 

"We were greatly impressed by the majesty 
of Jesus and by his power, in the cleansing of the 
temple, and we said one to another, 'This is in- 
deed a greater than John the Baptist,' and Peter 
said, 'We have done well that we left John to fol- 
low Jesus.' 

"And now, my children, we have followed 
Jesus somewhat in the order of events, until he 
has entered upon his public ministry. I cannot 
do this longer, but to-morrow will tell you the 
story of the woman of Samaria, and you will see 
what we did not understand until long after, that 
Jesus came not to the Jew only, but to the Gen- 
tile also, and even unto the whole world." 





CHRIST AT THE WELL 



CHAPTER XIV 

AT THE WELL 

"It was, as I remember, near the noon hour, 
after a night and a half-day's toilsome journey, 
that we drew near Sychar, a city of Samaria. 

"We, the disciples of Jesus, would gladly, not- 
withstanding our weariness, have gone some dis- 
tance around, instead of through Sychar, for we, 
like other Jews, had no dealings with the Samari- 
tans. I myself was very bitter in my hatred of 
these people, and would often use the expression, 
'May I never set eyes on a Samaritan !' which was 
a common one among my people." 

"Grandfather, was the hatred of the Jews for 
the Samaritans returned by the Samaritans?" 
asks James. 

"It was, my son. But I will not at this time 
explain the reason of this mutual hatred, as I 
wish to tell you the simple story of Jesus at the 
well of Jacob." 

"I should think," says Doris, "that the chil- 
dren of Jacob would have so loved the well, that 
they would have often visited it, even if it was in 

Samaria." 

125 



126 THE STORY OF JESUS 

And I should think," says Judith, "that it 
must have been a great sorrow that this well was 
in the country of the Samaritans." 

''You are right, my Judith. It was a sorrow, 
and both Jews and Samaritans were greatly at 
fault. But you must remember, my dears, that 
neither understood, as we now do, that all men 
are brethren. Ah, my dears, I shall never forget 
the sorrowful look my Master gave me, when I, 
in my ungodly and unchristlike spirit would have 
had fire come down from heaven to consume the 
Samaritans, who really were not so greatly to 
blame as our own people, in not being ready to 
receive Jesus. Listen to his words of rebuke: 
'Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 
For the Son of Man is not come to destroy men's 
lives, but to save them.' " 

"Grandfather," says Alex, "was not Jesus a 
Jew, and had he not been taught as other Jews, 
loyalty to his nation and hatred of his enemies?" 

"My boy, Jesus was a Jew. He did love his 
own people. He was loyal to his countrymen, 
but his country was the world, his people all they 
that were upon the face of the earth, even from 
the foundation of the world until the earth shall 
wax old, as doth a garment, and pass away. 

"In his kindness to the Samaritans, and to all 
men, he showed that he was not only son of man, 



AT THE WELL 127 

but Son of God. Raised in the strictest sense of 
the word, a Jew, he showed his sonship with God 
our Father, in that he was ever about his Father's 
business in caring for even those who had most 
lost the image of God in which man was created. 

"My children, it took wonderful patience and 
infinite love to bear with us, his unworthy dis- 
ciples, especially with me, who even as we came 
to the village of Sychar in Samaria, was almost 
angry with my Master, ^that he would pass 
through the city. And when, weary with his 
journey, he sat thus on the well, and we left him 
to go into the city to buy meat, it was not in love 
that I went with the others, when perchance I 
might have remained, but because I was too 
angry to remain quietly with Jesus. 

"You will remember that I have told you that 
sometimes it was a blessed privilege for Peter, 
James, and myself to remain with Jesus. Would 
that this had been one of those times, that I might 
have heard his wonderful words to the woman of 
Samaria. As it was, they were told me by the 
woman herself who became one of Jesus' faithful 
disciples, but not until long afterward, when I too 
had learned that in Christ there is neither Jew 
nor Samaritan." 

"I wonder," says Judith, "if we, too, do not 
go away from Jesus when we are angry, and so 



128 THE STORY OF JESUS 

lose the help and comfort he would give us if we 
remained with him.'* 

"I cannot understand how it was possible that 
you, dear grandfather, who are always Christ- 
Hke, could have left Jesus in anger," says Andrew. 

"My boy, it is only Christ within me that has 
changed my nature, and he may as truly become 
your Saviour as he became mine. But let us re- 
turn to our story. 

"We left Jesus sitting on the stones which 
enclosed the well. I looked back as we left him, 
and my heart softened as I saw the weariness and 
the look of sorrow which was upon his face. I 
knew that we had wearied him with our disputes 
by the way, and our objections to this passage 
through Samaria, and I almost decided to return 
to show in some way my repentance, but I was 
proud of heart, and went on my way. 

"After we left the well, there came a woman 
of Samaria to draw water. This woman came at 
noon, because she was not a good woman, and 
she knew that those who would come at morning 
and at night would have nothing to do with her, 
but would crowd her away from the well, so she 
could not draw the water which she needed for 
daily use. 

"No wonder she was astonished when Jesus, 
a man and a Jew, said, 'Give me to drmk', when 



AT THE WELL 129 

even one of her own sex and of her own nation 
would not have asked a drink of her. 

"Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, 
'How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink 
of me, which am a woman of Samaria?' for the 
Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. 
Jesus answered and said unto her, 'If thou knew- 
est the gift of God, and who it is that saith to 
thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldst have asked 
of him, and he would have given thee living 
water.' 

'The woman saith unto him, 'Sir, thou hast 
nothing to draw with, and the well is deep ; from 
whence then hast thou that living water? Art 
thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave 
us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his 
children, and his cattle?' 

"Jesus answered and said unto her, 'Whoso- 
ever drinketh of this water shall thirst again ; but 
whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give 
him, shall never thirst ; but the water that I shall 
give him shall be in him a well of water springing 
up into everlasting life.' 

"The woman saith unto him, 'Sir, give me this 
water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to 
draw.' 

"Jesus saith unto her, 'Go, call thy husband, 
and come hither.' 



130 THE STORY OF JESUS 

"The woman answered and said, 'I have no 
husband.' 

"Jesus said unto her, 'Thou hast well said, I 
have no husband, for thou hast had five hus- 
bands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy 
husband ; in that saidst thou truly.' 

"The woman saith unto him, 'Sir, I perceive 
that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshiped 
in this mountain ; and ye say that in Jerusalem is 
the place where men ought to worship.' 

"Jesus saith unto her, 'Woman, believe me, 
the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this 
mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the 
Father. Ye worship ye know not what ; we know 
what we worship : for salvation is of the Jews. 
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true 
worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and 
in truth ; for the Father seeketh such to worship 
Him. God is a spirit ; and they that worship Him 
must worship Him in spirit and in truth.' 

"The woman saith unto him, 'I know that 
Messias cometh, which is called Christ : when he 
is come, he will tell us all things.' 

"Jesus saith unto her, 'I that speak unto thee 
am he.' 

"And upon this came his disciples, and mar- 
veled that he talked with the woman ; yet no man 



AT THE WELL 13^ 

said, 'What seekest thou?' or 'Why talkest thou 
with her?' 

"The woman then left her water-pot and went 
her way into the city, and saith to the men, 
'Come, see a man, which told me all things that 
ever I did: is not this the Christ?' Then they 
went out of the city and came unto him. 

"My children, I have given you this account 
just as I have written it down in my gospel, and 
I will now continue in the more familiar way in 
which I have been giving you this story. 

"When we returned we were greatly surprised 
to see Jesus talking with the woman, yet we 
dared not speak our surprise. And then the 
woman left her water-pot and went away in haste 
into the city, and we prayed him, saying, 'Master, 
eat.' But he said, 'I have meat to eat that ye 
know not of.' Then we said one to another, 
'Hath any man brought him aught to eat?' 

"Then Jesus said, 'My meat is to do the will 
of Him that sent me, and to finish His work. 
Say not ye. There are yet four months, and then 
cometh harvest; behold I say unto you, lift up 
your eyes and look on the fields; for they are 
white already to harvest.' 

"As he said these words, we looked one to an- 
other, and Peter said to me, in a low tone, 'What 



132 THE STORY OF JESUS 

can he mean? Truly it is yet four months before 
harvest.' 

"As Peter said this, I saw the woman return- 
ing, and with her, men and women from the vil- 
lage, and as they gathered around Jesus and 
eagerly listened to his words, begging him that 
he would tarry with them, I understood that he 
spake not so much of the harvest of grain as of 
souls. As I saw the readiness of the people to 
hear him, and heard them say to the woman, 
'Now we believe, not because of thy saying, for 
we have heard him ourselves, and know that this 
is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world,' 
we were less surprised when he returned with 
them unto the city. 

"During the two days we tarried in Sychar, 
our eyes were partially opened, and we were 
ready to acknowledge that there could good 
come out of Samaria. 

"Leaving Sychar, we journeyed through the 
beautiful valley until we reached Samaria, the 
scene of the miracles and acts of the prophets 
Elijah and Elisha. We went on through the val- 
ley of Jezreel, the scene of great battles, by a lofty 
ridge and hills, and through broken passes, to 
the great plain of Esdraelon. Still journeying by 
the western side of the plain, we reached Naza- 
reth.* 

* McDonald's Life of St. John. 



AT THE WELL I33 

"As we came to the brow of the hill which 
overlooked the city, we sat down to rest, and 
Jesus told us stories of his childhood and youth, 
and his face flushed and his eyes grew bright, 
as he spake of those days. Peter, who sat near 
me, said, 'The fame of his works must have 
reached Nazareth, and no doubt the whole village 
will be out to meet us as soon as they see Jesus 
coming.' How different it really was ! 

''Though some of the people wondered at the 
gracious words that proceeded from his mouth, 
either from jealousy that the mighty works had 
been done in other cities, or because a prophet 
is not without honor save in his own country, 
they rejected Jesus and his teachings, and even 
brought him to the brow of the precipice, and 
would have cast him headlong, had he not es- 
caped from their hands. 

"As we, his disciples, gathered around Jesus, 
after his escape from the hands of his own neigh- 
bors, we not only sorrowed for his sake, whom 
we loved, but were greatly discouraged. We 
had looked for great things in Nazareth, even as 
we looked for but small things in Samaria. 

"As we left Nazareth going toward Cana, 
Jesus looked back upon the city of his childhood 
and youth, and great tears stood in his eyes. He 
stretched out his arms over it, as if in blessing. 



134 THE STORY OF JESUS 

No word of reproach fell from his lips, and he 
even looked reprovingly upon Peter and James 
who, indignant at the treatment given Jesus, 
were speaking bitter words of the people of 
Nazareth. 

''It was not until years afterward that I re- 
membered the words of Isaiah spoken of him: 
'He is despised and rejected of men; a man of 
sorrows and acquainted with grief; and we hid 
as it were our faces from him; he was despised 
and we esteemed him not.' 

"At Cana some remarkable miracles were per- 
formed, noticeably, the healing of the nobleman's 
son, by the word of his mouth, Jesus himself be- 
ing in Cana while the sick youth was at his home 
in Capernaum. 

"From Cana we went to Capernaum, where 
he taught in the synagogue with great power, 
and healed the demoniac, the spirit crying out, 
'Thou Jesus of Nazareth, art thou come to de- 
stroy us? I know thee who thou art, 'the Holy 
One of God.' 

"From Capernaum we followed Jesus in his 
journey through Galilee, teaching in synagogues, 
and healing all manner of diseases. 

"It was on our return to Capernaum that 
Peter, Andrew, James, and myself, who before 
this, while following Jesus with his disciples, had 



AT THE WELL I35 

continued at intervals our labors as fishermen, 
forsook all, and became his disciples indeed. It 
was at this time also, that Matthew, the publican, 
was added to our number by a special call. 

"On the morrow I will tell you of the Lord's 
choice of twelve apostles, and other events that 
followed. 

''I shall only give you a few of the many mir- 
acles which Jesus did, that I may pass on to his 
rejection by the Jews, his death, resurrection, and 
ascension. I find that I grow weary through 
much talking, and it may be that the Master will 
soon call for me, and if it be possible, I would 
conclude the story of Jesus before I leave you." 



CHAPTER XV 

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT 

"It was Jesus' wont, after a day of toil, to go 
apart into a mountain to pray. He often spent 
all night long in these solitary places, alone with 
his Father; and yet who shall -say that he may 
not also have had other company, even that of 
angels? If the angels came to him on the mount 
of temptation, to minister unto him, may they 
not at other times as well? 

"It was after one of these nights spent apart 
even from us, his disciples, who were permitted 
to live nearest him — I mean Peter, James, and 
myself — that upon the hillside which looks down 
into the Vale of Doves, before the multitude were 
gathered together, he chose the twelve apostles. 
These were the six disciples already mentioned, 
and James, the son of Alpheus, Jude, th^ brother 
of James, Matthew the publican, Thomas, called 
also Didymus, Simon Zelotes, and Judas Iscariot. 
From this time, we who were fishermen returned 
no more to our boats to fish for our living, nor 
did the others to their former manner of life, but 

136 



THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT I37 

we went with Jesus wherever he chose to go, and 
blessed were we among the children of men, that 
we were thus chosen." 

"Grandfather," asks Judith, "did you not 
sometimes visit your father and mother at home, 
and did not Peter also visit his wife and chil- 
dren?" 

"My dear, Jesus was always very tender and 
considerate of our comfort and happiness, as you 
must know from his thoughtfulness at the wed- 
ding in Cana of Galilee, and he was willing at all 
reasonable times for us to visit our homes. You 
will remember also, that at one of these visits at 
Peter's house, his wife's mother was raised from 
sickness at the touch of the Master's hand. From 
the time we became his apostles, the business of 
our lives was to follow Jesus, and thus, although 
we did not understand it at the time, we were 
being prepared to be his ministers in the years 
that were to follow." 

"Mother says," exclaims Andrew, "that we 
must follow Jesus now, if we would be good and 
do good in the world, but it seems to me that 
it was much easier to follow him as you did, dear 
grandfather, than as we can now." 

"Ah, my children, you understand much bet- 
ter now than I did then, the will of the Master. 
I have learned to follow him since he went back 



138 THE STORY OF JESUS 

to the Father, much closer than I ever did when 
I walked with Him by the Sea of Galilee or 
climbed the slope of the to me now sacred hills. 
If I could have known, if I could have under- 
stood!" and the old man's eyes are raised to 
heaven, while great tears find their way down 
the hollows of his face. 

''Grandfather," and Doris, coming up to him, 
tenderly wipes the tears from his eyes, "you were 
Jesus' best loved disciple ; what need have you to 
weep?" 

''Yes, grandfather," says x\ndrew, "what if 
you had been Peter and denied your Master?" 

"Or Judas Iscariot, and betrayed him," says 
Judith, and she shudders, and her face pales at 
the thought. 

"Hush, children, hush, my dears! It is not 
for us to compare ourselves among ourselves, but 
to conform our lives to the word of the Lord. It 
is only through the exceeding grace of God and 
the loving kindness of Jesus, that I, who was full 
of zeal without wisdom, easily provoked to 
thoughts of vengeance, and desirous in my pride 
for the best seat in the kingdom of heaven, am 
not a greater sinner. Blessed be the name of my 
beloved Lord Jesus. He forgave me all my fol- 
lies and sins, and has promised me a room in 
the heavenly mansion. 



THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT 139 

"But, children, we will return to our story. 
As we have been talking, I want you to think of 
the crowd from the villages, cities, and country 
places, gathering on the slope of the mountain, 
where Jesus was surrounded by the twelve apos- 
tles. We sat in a group. I remember Peter was 
on one side of him, and I on the other, while near 
to us were James, Andrew, and Philip, and Ju- 
das Iscariot was on the other side of me. Little 
did we any of us think then that this man whom, 
because he showed such good business ability, 
we had chosen as our treasurer, would sell his 
Lord for thirty pieces of silver. Boys, never for- 
get that it is the love of money, not the money 
itself, that is the root of all evil." 

''Grandfather," says James, "do you think it is 
wrong to want to be rich? Only think how 
much good one can do with money." 

"Yes, grandfather," adds Judith, "if I had 
money I would build a larger house of worship 
for our people." 

"And I," says Doris, "would be another Dor- 
cas, only a Dorcas that would give away many, 
many coats and garments to the poor. You see, 
grandfather, I would not have to wait to make 
them myself, for with money I could buy them 
and give them wherever they were needed." 
And Doris pauses from her long speech, her face 



I40 THE STORY OF JESUS 

flushing with unusual beauty, as she thinks of the 
good she would do with money. 

''Ah, dear child, how little you know your 
heart ! It is hard to think of a rich Dorcas, and 
yet with God all things are possible. The longer 
I live, the more I am led to believe that Ager was 
wise when he prayed, 'Give me neither poverty 
nor riches,' " and as grandfather sees the quick 
tears come to Doris's eyes at the gentle rebuke, 
he adds, "Our dear Doris has a loving heart, and 
if the good Lord sees best to give much of this 
world's goods, and it seems not unHkely, as her 
father is prospering in his buying and selling of 
fine linens and rich cloths from the far East, I 
trow that by the help of the Master she loves, she 
may indeed be a second Dorcas, only with in- 
creased stores of goods for the poor. But again 
we have left the scene of our story. 

"As the people came near, we rose from our 
seats on the grass and stood ready to receive 
them." 

"From what places did the people come?" 
asks Alex. 

"From the shores of the Sea of Galilee, from 
Judea and Jerusalem, and even from the distant 
sea coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 

"Many of these people were suffering from 
various diseases, and Jesus first healed them; 



THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT H^ 

then they crowded around him eager to listen to 
the words of his mouth. 

"I have since thought that we, his followers, 
would do well to follow his example in this, — do 
all in our power for the physical ills common to 
humanity, and then would men be the more will- 
ing to listen to gracious words, and better able 
to do so. 

'The multitude were weary, for many had 
traveled all night to come and see Jesus, and were 
glad to be seated at his gentle command. You 
know, my children, it is the habit of the Rabbis 
to sit as they read the law in the synagogue, and 
Jesus sat on a hillock, a little raised above his 
congregation. His was a temple not made with 
hands, more wonderful and beautiful than Solo- 
mon's temple. Above, the blue sky, over which 
drifted delicately tinged clouds ; green grass be- 
neath his feet, sprinkled with flowers, and just 
below, the Vale of Doves, holding in its arms a 
small village on one side, and on the opposite, 
wild clifTs of rocks from which flowed a small 
stream of cold water, where grew wild fruits, 
pleasant to taste, and to be had for the gathering. 

''As Jesus gave to us that wonderful sermon 
called the Sermon on the Mount, his eyes often 
rested at intervals of silent moments, upon this 
beautiful scene. 



142 THE STORY OF JESUS 

"It is not my thought to give you this sermon 
at this time. In our treasure chest we have the 
gospel of St. Matthew, and you may read it for 
yourselves ; but we will talk of a few of its won- 
derful teachings, and then pass on with our story. 
But before we do this, let us altogether repeat the 
'blesseds.' " 

At these words, Judith and Doris come close 
to Grandfather John, one on either side, with 
their arms thrown affectionately around him, and 
Miriam creeps like a babe to his bosom, while the 
boys draw nearer, and together they repeat the 
words that can never grow old and never be 
matched for their beauty and helpfulness. 

''Blessed are the poor in spirit : for theirs is 
the kingdom of heaven. 

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall 
be comforted. 

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit 
the earth. 

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst 
after righteousness : for they shall be filled. 

"Blessed are the merciful : for they shall ob- 
tain mercy. 

"Blessed are the pure in heart : for they shall 
see God. 

"Blessed are the peacemakers : for they shall 
be called the children of God. 



THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT HS 

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for 
righteousness' sake : for theirs is the kingdom of 
heaven. 

"Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, 
and persecute you, and shall say all manner of 
evil against you falsely, for my sake. 

"Rejoice and be exceeding glad : for great is 
your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they 
the prophets which were before you." 

As the sweet voices of the children cease, the 
old man continues in a voice choked with feel- 
ing : "Children, little can you realize who have 
been taught the loving faith of our Lord Jesus, 
how wonderful these words seemed to the multi- 
tude who first heard them. So different were 
they from the law given on Mount Sinai, and 
under what different circumstances ! That was 
given amidst thunder and lightnings, in the voice 
of a trumpet, resounding long and waxing louder 
and louder. This flowed forth in divinest music, 
and in the calm loveliness of an early dawn. That 
came with dread to a startled conscience, from 
an unseen Presence. This was uttered by the 
sweet human voice of Jesus, and the words were 
words of love and peace."* 

"Grandfather," says Alex, "was this new law 

♦Adapted from Canon Farrar's Life of Christ. 



144 THE STORY OF JESUS 

of Jesus to take the place of the old one, given by 
God at the hand of Moses?" 

"By no means, my son ; it was to be the com- 
pletion of the old; to be, as it were, the human 
expression of the divine law, in a new version, 
that could be better understood by man. 

*'The Son of God was son of man for us, not 
only in life and death, but also in his teachings. 
The sermon began with a blessing ; it closed with 
words of authority that filled the people with 
astonishment. 

"We have not time to take up the entire ser- 
mon, but each of you, my children, may take the 
roll and choose for yourselves a favorite verse, 
while I take a few moments' rest, for I am 
weary." 

It is a pretty sight to see the children clUvSter- 
ing around James as he unrolls the scroll, and 
after finding the place, hands it to his sister 
Judith, and Doris, to first choose their verses. 

Judith takes Miriam in her arms, and the child 
puts her finger on the words, while Judith reads 
some of the verses which she thinks will be most 
likely to please the little one. As she reads, 
"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow ; 
they toil not, neither do they spin, and yet I say 
unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory is 
not arrayed like one of these." Miriam ex- 



THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT 145 

claims, "That is my verse; please read it again." 
As Judith's sweet, low voice repeats the beautiful 
verse, Miriam laughs softly to herself, 

Doris, observing this, says, ''Of what are you 
thinking, dear heart?" 

"1 was thinking how funny it would be if the 
lilies out there imder the shade of that fig tree 
should stretch out their leaves for hands, and 
spin caps like those they wear on their yellow 
heads !" 

The children laugh at this strange fancy, while 
Doris says, "God provides not only those beauti- 
ful caps for their heads, but even the leaves you 
call hands, which reach out into the sunshine for 
food and drink." 

"What do you mean, Doris?" says Andrew. 

"Don't you know, Andrew, that those leaves 
Miriam calls hands, are full of little cups that 
hold the dewdrops and the rain which God sends 
to the lily for drink, and also mirror even the 
great sun himself?" 

"You and Miriam are the strangest children 
to see and think of things no one else does," 
continues Andrew. "For my part, those lilies are 
just lilies, and nothing more, and I like the verses 
about the wise man who built his house upon a 
rock. I can understand that, and can myself see 
that a man would be very foolish to build upon 



146 THE STORY OF JESUS 

the sand. Don't you remember, James, that 
once I built a Httle house of sticks and stones, 
close to the river, on the sand, and how that night 
in the storm, my house was washed away? I 
would not be so foolish again, and when I am a 
man will build all my houses on stone founda- 
tions, as father calls them." 

''God grant you may, my son!" says Grand- 
father John, as he rouses from his little sleep, and 
hears Andrew's last words. 

Judith, who still holds the roll which she has 
been quietly studying, is ready to give her verse, 
and she reads : ''Lay not up for yourselves treas- 
ures upon earth, where moth and rust doth cor- 
rupt and where thieves break through and steal, 
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and 
where thieves do not break through nor steal. 

"You remember, Doris, that beautiful piece 
of cloth that my own mother's mother had given 
her by a woman that came from the far East, and 
that I kept in the treasure chest, wrapped in a 
piece of fine linen. Well, some way, neither 
Mother Ruth nor myself can tell how, the moths 
have eaten into it, and its beauty is destroyed, 
and when I shed tears over it. Mother Ruth com- 
forted me with this verse. She said I might have 
treasure laid up in heaven, and Jesus himself 



THE SERMOk ON THE MOUNT i47 

would keep watch over my treasures, and no 
thief could break into his storehouse and no 
moth destroy." 

"Doris, what is your verse?" inquires James. 

"Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye 
shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto 
you : for every one that asketh receiveth, and he 
that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it 
shall be opened. 

"I am always wanting something, and it is so 
good to think that there is one that really can 
give, and is also wiUing to give good things when 
we ask them." 

"Ah, child, thou art wise beyond thy years," 
says the grandfather, "if thou hast learned to ask 
for only good things." 

"Mother says," continues Doris, "that we 
must leave it to our Father who art in heaven to 
decide for us what is really good. I am so glad 
I do not have to decide for myself. I make so 
many mistakes. Do you remember, Judith, that 
string of beads that I wanted so much, that 
father bought them for me, although he said they 
were worthless. Well, they were broken into 
little pieces the very first time I wore them. 
Mother said it was a good lesson for me to learn, 
that father knew best, and Grandfather John, 
hearing mother tell me this, added, 'Just so, dear ; 



HS the story of JESUS 

and our Father in heaven knows what is best for 
His children.' " 

"We have yet to hear from James and Alex," 
says Judith. 

James looks at Alex, who is still waiting, but 
at a sign from his friend, Alex repeats : 

"Judge not that ye be not judged, for with 
what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and 
with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured 
to you again. 

"I learned," said he, "what that verse meant 
that day I said so many evil things of my neigh- 
bor boy. He is a heathen, and I had not then 
learned that even a heathen may have a kind 
heart. You know, I thought him greedy, when 
he kept the money in his purse and would not 
share it with the beggar who sat at the gate of the 
Temple of Diana, begging. I afterward learned 
that he was on his way to give it to a poor 
crippled boy who was really starving for food, 
and I also learned that the beggar had no need 
of either money or food. When I told mother 
about it, she laid her hand on my head, and said, 
'My son, judge not that ye be not judged.' " 

"We have only to hear from James," says 
Judith. 

James reads: "Therefore all things whatso- 
ever ye would that men should do to you, do ye 



THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT 149 

even so to them, for this is the law and the 
prophets." 

''My son," said Grandfather John, who had 
Hstened with deep interest to the children, "thou 
hast well chosen. I will add as my verse, one 
from Old Testament Scriptures, Fear God and 
keep His commandments; for this is the whole 
duty of man." 



CHAPTER XVI 



''little maid, arise" 



"After the call of Matthew, the publican, to 
be a disciple, he gave a farewell feast to his 
friends and neighbors. To this feast both Jesus 
and his disciples were invited. 

"We were at first not only surprised that 
Matthew was chosen to be one of us, but did not 
understand how Jesus could eat with publicans 
and sinners. As Peter, Andrew, James, and my- 
self had been the disciples of John the Baptist, we 
could sympathize with the men who yet remained 
the disciples of John, and who murmured against 
Jesus on account of his eating and drinking as 
did other men, instead of fasting, as did John and 
his disciples. That they were still more incensed 
that he should eat and drink under the roof of a 
publican, was but natural. The Scribes and 
Pharisees, who even before this had begun to 
seek for an excuse to condemn the life and work 
of Jesus, were only too ready to swell the current 
of disapproval by their more bitter condemna- 
tion. 

150 



"LITTLE MAID, ARISE" 151 

''Jesus' reply to them was, They that be whole 
need not a physician, but they that are sick. But 
go ye and learn what that meaneth — I will have 
mercy and not sacrifice, for I came not to call the 
righteous but sinners to repentance.' 

"The feast was near its close when there came 
to Jesus a ruler of the synagogue, Jairus by 
name, a man highly respected by the Jews. This 
man fell at Jesus' feet, saying, 'My little daugh- 
ter lieth at the point of death. I pray thee, come 
and lay thy hands on her that she may be healed, 
and she shall live.' 

"Jesus raised him up, speaking comforting 
words to him, and as he went with the ruler, we 
also, his disciples, as well as much people, fol- 
lowed him. 

'Tn the crowd was a woman who for twelve 
years had suffered from a grievous disease. She 
had been a woman of considerable substance, but 
she had spent it all in seeking health. Indeed, 
'she had suffered many things of many physi- 
cians, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew 
worse.' 

"This woman had heard of the wonderful 
cures, and had come hoping for an opportunity 
to be healed. Being a timid woman, and having 
a disease that was unpleasant to describe, it was 



152 THE STORY OF JESUS 

no easy thing for her to come to Jesus before all 
the crowd. As she, with the crowd, pressed 
about Jesus, a happy thought came to her, 'If I 
may but touch his clothes, I shall be whole.' 
This seemed an easy way to obtain healing, so 
she came near to Jesus, and touched his garment, 
and immediately she felt in her body that she 
was healed. 'And Jesus, immediately knowing 
in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned 
him about and said. Who touched my clothes?' 

"When Jesus asked this question, Peter, who 
stood on one side of him, while I was on the other 
trying to force a way through the crowd for him, 
looked up into the Master's face and impatiently 
exclaimed, Thou seest the multitude thronging 
thee, and sayest thou. Who touched me?' 

*'As you know, Peter was not a patient man, 
and he as well as the rest of us was doing all in 
his power to keep the miltitude from crowding 
upon Jesus. 

"Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Ah, my 
children, we, his disciples, saw that look of 
patient love. We were constantly giving pain 
to the sweet soul who never for one moment lost 
patience with us. Without a word he turned 
from Peter, and looking behind him saw the 
woman, who, fearing and trembling, knowing 



"LITTLE MAID, ARISE" i53 

Vi^hat was done in her, came and fell down and 
told him all the truth. 

"Dear children, there was never a sin-sick or 
troubled soul that came as did this poor woman, 
and told Jesus all the truth, to whom Jesus did 
not speak words of comfort. This is as true now 
as then ; it will be true as long as the world stands. 

''Listen to his gracious words: 'Daughter, 
thy faith hath made thee whole ; go in peace.' 

"A little time had been taken by this incident, 
but the ruler, although anxious that Jesus should 
continue on his way, was a tender-hearted man, 
and his own grief made him full of sympathy with 
this woman. I think, too, his own faith in the 
power of Jesus to heal was strengthened. But 
as we proceeded, there came a messenger who 
said, Thy daughter is dead. Why trouble the 
Master any further?' 

"As these words fell upon the ear of the ruler, 
he beat his hands upon his breast and cried out, 
'My daughter, oh, my daughter !' 

"Jesus looked upon him, and his distress 
moved him greatly, for Jesus was loving and 
tender in times of human sorrow beyond com- 
pare. 

"Then Jesus spoke these words unto the ruler : 
'Be not afraid; only believe.' 



154 THE STORY OF JESUS 

"I saw a great light break over the sorrowing, 
tearful face of the father. He had known some- 
thing of Jesus' work. I think he had heard of 
the raising of the widow's son a few days before, 
and the thought, without doubt, came into his 
mind, 'It may be Jesus will raise even from death 
my daughter also.' 

''As Jesus said these words, he commanded 
the multitude to follow him no longer. He even 
told the disciples to leave him, all save Peter, 
James, and myself. 

"At times there was such majesty in Jesus' 
look, that the multitude, many of whom only fol- 
lowed out of curiosity, dared not follow w^hen 
bidden to do otherwise. This was one of those 
times, and we five proceeded on our way. 

"As we came near the house, we heard a 
great noise. Entering, we found that the outer 
room was filled, as is usual, with hired mourners. 
As this was a man of repute, there were many of 
them. They were playing upon flutes and other 
instruments, crying aloud, and making what 
must have seemed to Jesus, an unseemly noise. 
On entering, his first care was to still the 
idle noise, which he did with a few words, 
the ruler also commanding silence at the sugges- 
tion of Jesus; but when his kind declaration, 
'The little maiden is not dead but sleepeth,' was 



"LITTLE MAID, ARISE" I55 

received with coarse ridicule, he indignantly 
ejected the hired mourners. 

"We then passed out of the room occupied by 
the mourners and those who were kin to the 
household, and entered a second apartment, 
where were the mother and grandmother of the 
little maid. As Jairus entered, the mother came 
forward, and throwing herself into her husband's 
arms, wept aloud. Then she turned with a look 
of reproach upon us who followed, as if to say, 
'Why intrude upon my great sorrow?' As she 
did so, she saw Jesus. I do not think she had 
ever before looked upon that face, which was 
lovely and loving beyond any power of words to 
describe. It was now tender with sorrow, yet 
calm and dignified, for he himself knew what he 
would do. 

"She whispered a word to her husband, who 
held her tenderly in his arms, and I saw him bow 
in assent, for he was also weeping, so that he 
could not speak; and as he gently released her 
she went forward and fell at the feet of Jesus, 
kissing them, while great tears fell down upon 
them. 

"Tenderly Jesus lifted her up, and with a sign 
to us to come, too, followed the father and 
mother into the room where the damsel was laid. 

"She was lying upon a bed, dressed in her 



156 THE STORY OF JESUS 

loose robe of white linen. She had been dead 
but a short time, and had thus far been kept from 
the touch of those who care for the persons of the 
dead. She was a beautiful child of twelve years 
— your age, my dear Doris, and as I remember 
her face, and look at you, my dear, she was not 
unlike you. The long lashes lay over her closed 
eyes, and there was a faint flush still on her 
cheeks, while her lips were yet tinted with touch 
of red. Her wavy hair had been brushed back 
from her low forehead, and rolled over the silken 
cushion beneath her head, in golden waves. The 
slender hands were locked together as if her body 
was not yet free from the pain which had been, 
for the short time of her sickness, very severe. 
But the day before she had been busy about the 
house, helping her mother with the usual house- 
hold duties, and her sweet voice had sung the 
songs of Zion, for she was a Jewish maid, and 
well taught in the faith of her father and mother. 
This voice was now silent, the busy feet and help- 
ful hands stilled in the silence that even for us 
who know that there is a life beyond this, is yet, 
in our human love, hard to bear in the persons of 
our beloved. 

''As Jesus drew near the bedside, the mother 
kept close to his side, and giving one look of 
anguish at her dead child, she lifted her eyes with 



"LITTLE MAID, ARISE" I57 

a look that spoke more than words to the face of 
Jesus. They seemed to say, 'If only — ' How 
she watched every motion of that blessed form, 
every glance of that face, while her heart beat 
faster and faster, as with a dawning hope. 

" Terhaps — ' but she dared not think farther 
in the line of what to her seemed the impossible. 
Being a Jewess, she believed that with God all 
things are possible, but she knew not that he who 
stood by the bedside of her daughter was the Son 
of God. Possibly the thought may have crept 
into her mind, as her eyes rested on the beautiful 
form of her dear one, that the physicians were 
mistaken, and her child was not dead, but as a 
remembrance of that bitter hour of dying came 
to her, her heart sank again into despair. 

"All these thoughts and many more had time 
to crowd the mind, for it takes, as you know, 
children, but a few moments of time to think 
more than many minutes can describe; when 
Jesus, unclasping the locked hands, lifted one of 
them up, and in a voice of thriUing sweetness, 
said, 'Little maid, arise !' 

"The eyes unclosed as from sweet slumbers, 
the lips parted in a tender smile, as if aroused 
from pleasant dreams, and the one word, 
'Mother,' escaped from the parted lips. She 
raised her eyes to the form of Jesus, bending ten- 



158 THE STORY OF JESUS 

derly over her, and stretched out her other hand 
and clasped his, as he Hfted her up from the bed, 
and wonder of wonders, walked ! 

''The father folded his beloved daughter in his 
arms, as if he never more could let her go from 
him, while the mother, with one glad look upon 
the two, fell at the feet of Jesus, while happy 
tears bathed the feet before wet with drops of 
bitter anguish." 

As grandfather pauses, the girls wipe tears 
from their eyes, and the boys are looking far out 
over the distant hills, seeing as through a mist 
only the dim outline of them, and with no 
thought of what they see ; but, boylike, they do 
not wish to have it known that they, too, are 
touched beyond power of control, by the tender 
and beautiful story of the raising from the dead 
of the little maid. 

After a few moments of silence, in which the 
girls recover their voices, and grandfather rests, 
for each day he seems to become a little more 
feeble than the day before, James, as if to change 
the subject to one less affectingf, says : 

''Grandfather, when you spoke of the woman 
that was healed by touching Jesus' garment, I 
thought I would like to know how Jesus was 
dressed. I did not like," continues James, "to 
trouble you at the time, by asking questions, but 



"LITTLE MAID, ARISE' i59 

if you are not too weary to do so, I would like to 
hear about it now." 

"His dress, my boy, was such as you see to-day 
worn by sages and teachers, the garments not 
unlike our own. Perhaps it seems to you that 
one born King of the Jews should have been 
dressed in rich and royal robes, but such was not 
the case. Jesus wore, as we do, the long gar- 
ment of wool, reaching to his feet, the upper gar- 
ment with its bands of blue, which, symbolizing 
holiness, seemed specially fitting to be worn by 
him, and the girdle about his loins. When he 
used a head covering, it was like ours, a 'kerchief 
twisted into a turban, and his feet were shod with 
sandals in summer, shoes in winter. 

"He possessed but one upper garment, and 
you remember that the apostles were forbidden 
to take more than one with them, that all might 
know them to be poor. 

"So in all ways, he who was Lord of the whole 
world, dwelt among us as the poorest and lowliest 
of men." 



CHAPTER XVII 

A WONDERFUL DAY 

*'My children, I will not at this time recall the 
story of the death of John the Baptist. You 
may, if you desire to read the full account, do so 
in the roll of St. Matthew. 

"We were all greatly saddened by the death of 
this good man, of whom Jesus spake when he 
said, 'A prophet : yea, I say unto you and more 
than a prophet.' For Herod had put John in 
prison, and afterward sent and beheaded him 
there. After the burial of the body by his dis- 
ciples, these same disciples went and told Jesus. 

"Our many journeyings, the murmurings of 
the Scribes and Pharisees, and the murder of 
John the Baptist had so depressed and burdened 
our spirits, that Jesus, knowing our need, said to 
us, 'Come ye yourselves apart in a desert place, 
and rest awhile.' 

"At the northeast of the lake was a second 
Bethsaida. It was hitherward that our vessel 
steered its course. It was but six miles by sea to 
the retired and desolate spot we sought, but the 

160 



A WONDERFUL DAY i6i 

winds were contrary, and as we could not get far 
from land, the people followed us along the shore, 
and Jesus was touched with compassion, 'for they 
were as sheep without a shepherd.' 

"At the word of Jesus we drew our vessel to 
land, and we all climbed the hillside and sat down 
to rest. Ere long the whole multitude of those 
that followed us by land were gathered on the 
plain below. Not waiting for them to climb the 
hill, as many were either feeble themselves, or 
were carrying upon beds those that were sick, 
Jesus descended from his resting-place and went 
about among them, healing those that were sick, 
comforting the sorrowful, and forgiving the sins 
of the repentant. 

"It was well on in the day before we landed, 
and now the people were weary from their 
journeyings, and as the shadows grew long on the 
hither side of the mountain, we, Jesus' disciples, 
became very anxious lest the people, hungry and 
tired, should become troublesome to Jesus, and 
if a tumult arose, that the Scribes and Pharisees, 
who were already seeking for a grievance against 
him, should say that Jesus was at the head of the 
uprising. Nothing they could say would have 
greater force with the Roman governor. It was 
our desire to send the people to their own homes 
while it was yet day. 



1 62 THE STORY OF JESUS 

"While we were talking thus among ourselves, 
Jesus Hfted up his eyes, and looking upon the 
great company, said to Philip, who stood near, 
'Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?' 

'Thilip answered him, 'Two hundred penny- 
worth of bread is not sufficient for them that 
every one of them may take a little.' 

"Now Andrew had been seeking for some 
refreshment for Jesus, and had found a young lad 
who carried in a basket some small loaves and 
fishes. He was just bringing this boy to Jesus 
when he heard the Master's question and Philip's 
reply, and looking up into Jesus' face, so full of 
tender compassion for the hungry multitude, he 
dared not suggest that he eat while others were 
hungering, but he put his hand upon the boy's 
shoulder, and pushing him gently forward, said, 
'Master, this lad hath here five barley loaves and 
two small fishes, but what are they among so 
many?' 

"The lad had refused to part with his basket 
to Andrew, even for the good price offered him, 
but when he saw Jesus' face, he put the basket in 
his hand, and upon his countenance there seemed 
to us who stood by, to be reflected something of 
the loving radiance that shone upon the face of 
the Master. And after that the lad would take 
no pay. 



A WONDERFUL DAY 163 

"And Jesus took in his hands the little brown 
loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks to God, 
while those who were watching looked at him, 
some wonderingly, some jealously, and some 
almost scornfully, but these were those who did 
not know him as did we. 

"Then he brake the bread and sent us to dis- 
tribute it among the people. As I took the por- 
tion given me in my hands, I thought, 'They will 
see that he gives them all he has,' but my heart 
ached for those who must still hunger. I gave 
what I carried to a man who had with him his 
wife and sons and daughters. 

"Returning to Jesus, what was my amazement 
to see that his hands were still full, and at once 
my heart seemed singing a great song of joy, for 
I felt as never before that my Lord was indeed 
Lord of all things in heaven and earth. 

"Then eagerly we fed the hungry people, and 
when they had eaten, we gathered up, at Jesus' 
word, the fragments that remained, and filled 
twelve baskets with them." 

"What was done with these pieces?" asks 
Judith, as grandfather pauses. 

"Some were given to the lad, some to the 
poorer of the people, but the few animals in the 
multitude, the asses upon which some had rid- 



164 THE STORY OF JESUS 

den, and the dogs, and even the birds who flew 
about us, had their share." 

"Oh, grandfather," exclaimed Doris, "surely 
the people must have believed on him then !" 

"There were many, my child, then, as there are 
to-day, who ate their fill with no thought of the 
tender care that provided for their wants, but 
many loved him as their Lord from that day, 
while others, carried away by the excitement of 
the hour, were for seizing Jesus and making him 
their king. And to escape them, Jesus, bidding 
up his ship at evening, even if he had not 
returned, departed alone into the mountain. 

"The shadows grew longer and longer; the 
people had gone, and darkness was gathering 
about us, and still we tarried, hoping he would 
come. But the events of the day had so quick- 
ened our faith that we hesitated not to obey 
him, and so at last went down into our ship, 
although as we put out from shore we strained 
our eyes to see if we might not behold him com- 
ing to us through the gloom. 

"Finally we gave up all hope of seeing him 
that night, and were far out in the lake, rowing 
slowly, for we were very weary and sad without 
the presence of our beloved Lord, and the sea 
was heavy, for a great wind blew, when suddenly 



A WONDERFUL DAY 165 

Peter exclaimed, 'What is that?' And follow- 
ing the direction of his eyes, for his hands were 
at the oar, we saw a white figure erect upon the 
water. 

''For a moment our hearts stood still with 
fear, and then Peter dropped his oars, clasped 
his hands together, and exclaimed in a low tone, 
'It is the Master !' 

"And even as he spake, we heard the voice, so 
calm that it seemed hardly to break the silence of 
the night, saying, 'It is I, be not afraid,' and 
then we saw his face ! And Peter stood by, so 
eager was he, and his eyes glowed with fire, and 
I knew that even as my heart had almost burst 
within when Jesus had multiplied the bread that 
I might feed the hungry, even so now to Peter, 
the strong, fearless Peter, there came a new and 
wonderful vision of Him whom even the seas 
obey. 

" 'Master,' he called, 'bid me to come to thee 
upon the waves !' and Jesus said, 'Come.' 

"And Peter stepped from the boat, eagerly, 
gladly, his eyes upon the Master's face. Ah, had 
he but kept them there ! 

"My children, as do we all, Peter, even in that 
supreme moment, looked upon the danger and 
not upon the deliverer, and as he looked, a great 



1 66 THE STORY OF JESUS 

gust of wind tossed the waves about him, and 
he was afraid, and sinking in the midst of the 
water, cried, 'Master, save me!' 

"And Jesus took him by the hand, and with 
more of pity than reproval in his tender voice, 
said, 'O thou of httle faith, wherefore didst thou 
doubt?' 

"And when Jesus and Peter had come into the 
ship, the wind ceased. Then our arms seemed 
less weary, our hearts were glad, the boat sped 
through the water, and soon we reached the de- 
sired haven." 

Doris drew a long breath as the story ended, 
and James said, "I like that best of all, grand- 
father." 

But Judith put her arm about the old man's 
neck, and whispered, "Grandfather, I know now 
why you are always so calm and happy and fear- 
less, even in times of great danger, and when 
father and Mother Ruth even are anxious and 
sad. It is because you never turn your eyes 
from the Master's face." 

And Grandfather John kissed the girl's sweet 
face, and blessed her. 



CHAPTER XVIII 

THE TRANSFIGURATION 

''My children, I am about to tell you a most 
wonderful story. You have read the account of 
the transfiguration of Jesus, as given by St. Mat- 
thew and St. Mark. I will now tell you the story 
in my own words, as we, Peter, James, and my- 
self, beheld his glory. 

''Although the chief priests, Scribes, and Phar- 
isees had become Jesus' bitter enemies, and were 
not only seeking reason to accuse him, but secret- 
ly forming plans to put him to death, the people 
followed him gladly, so that even in retired places 
it was difficult to find an opportunity for rest. 

"Seeking rest for us, as well as for himself, 
and, it may be, wishing to travel over the north- 
ern part of the country, we went toward Mount 
Hermon. Its heights were always wrapped in 
snow, and its slopes cool and delightful. The 
Eastern summers burn with intense heat, and 
make such a retreat not only delightful, but at 
times almost necessary to give strength for labor. 
I think, also, Jesus, knowing that his hour of 
167 



1 68 THE STORY OF JESUS 

bitter trial was nearing, felt the need of secur- 
ing his Father's help, as well as of strengthening 
our weak faith, and giving us a glimpse of the 
glory which was his, even from the foundation of 
the world. 

"Jesus even now had become 'a man of sorrows 
and acquainted with grief,' and already there 
were many who hid their faces from him, and he 
sought with us, who truly loved him, a place to 
pray and to be with his Father. 

''Leaving the other disciples on the plain 
below, he took Peter, James, and myself, and we 
ascended the slope of Mount Hermon. It was the 
evening hour, and Jesus was very weary, as were 
we also, his disciples. But the coolness that 
crept down to us from the crown of snows above, 
and the delight of solitude as we three were with 
Jesus, comforted our weary bodies, while our 
souls were lifted, as it were, upon eagle's wings, 
and more easily than we had thought, we reached 
the heights Jesus had chosen for our resting- 
place at night. 

''Little did we know or think that to us a 
bit of heaven was that night to be opened ! We 
only thought we were seeking a night's rest. 
Ah, my children, when you are older grown in 
years and experience, you too will learn that it 



THE TRANSFIGURATION 169 

is often when least expected, that we receive the 
greatest blessings. 

''Under the trees, upon the dewy grass, we 
sat down to rest. It is little wonder that sleep 
gently closed our eyes, and that sinking deep 
in the soft grass, we lost all thought of weariness 
or knowledge of the present. How long we 
slept, I know not, but I awakened to find there 
shone upon us a great light. It was neither the 
glare of sunlight nor the radiance of moonlight; 
rather a light which was all-pervading, .which 
made all nature translucent. 

'Teter and James had also awakened, and we 
drew close together, and Peter whispered to me, 
'Where is Jesus ?' 

"As he spoke, he was answered, for we saw 
Jesus, 'and the fashion of his countenance was 
altered, atid his raiment was white and glistening. 
And behold, there walked with him two men, 
which were Moses and Elias, who appeared in 
glory, and spoke of his decease which he should 
accomplish at Jerusalem.' 

"As the vision began to vanish, Peter, scarce 
knowing what he said, but anxious to keep the 
heavenly visitants, exclaimed, 'Let us make three 
tabernacles, one for thee and one for Moses and 
one for EHas!' 



170 THE STORY OF JESUS 

"While he spake, there came a cloud and 
overshadowed them; and we feared as they en- 
tered into the cloud. And there came a voice out 
of the cloud, saying, 'This is my beloved son; 
hear him/ 

"As we heard the voice, we hid our faces in 
the grass, for already we had fallen to the ground 
in great fear and trembling, and thus we re- 
mained until Jesus himself lifted us up, saying, 
in his well-known, well-beloved tone of voice, 
'Arise, be not afraid/ 

"As we arose to our feet, we saw that day 
was already breaking. I have since thought 
Jesus may have had blessed communion with his 
Father during that long night, before our eyes, 
which were heavy with sleep, were opened to see 
the glory. As we looked upon him in the early 
morning light, we saw that the worn^ook had 
passed from his face, that a new light shone in 
his eyes, and to his voice was given an added 
depth and sweetness. 

"Going down the mountain side, he talked 
with us as at other times. At first we were too 
awed by what we had seen, and a something 
which I cannot describe fully about our Master's 
presence, to dare ask questions, and we talked 
softly among ourselves as to what these things 
could mean. We had now seen Elias, yet how 



THE TRANSFIGURATION 171 

was the prophecy to be fulfilled that he should 
restore all things? 

"Then Jesus, hearing our words to each other, 
and understanding, as no mere man could under- 
stand, all that was in our hearts, explained to us 
that Elias had already come in the person and 
povv^er of John the Baptist ; that he had been re- 
jected and brought to his death, even as also 
was he of whom John the Baptist spake. Yet 
though he spoke thus plainly of his own ap- 
proaching death, our ears seemed deaf that we 
could not hear, and our minds holden that we 
could not understand what was before us. I 
have since thought that this was in love, and that 
we were only able to bear day by day the sorrow 
as it came to us." 



CHAPTER XIX 



''My Miriam, this is to be your story. Many 
of our talks have been too old for you, but this 
is one you can both love and understand. 

"My children, it grieves me to tell you that 
there came a time when, as in Galilee, Jesus could 
no more work or teach in Judea save at the risk 
of his life. For the time had not yet come when 
he should yield up his life, as he himself said, 
'No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of 
myself/ 

"We departed into the country beyond Jor- 
dan, where John had once been baptizing. This 
was the other Bethany, not the Bethany where 
was the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. To 
this little village and to the Jordan riverside, 
the people came, and he taught them. Some- 
times he taught them in the village, at others 
beside the river Jordan. In some way the people 
in Perea seemed to understand that he was soon 
to leave them, and they came thronging around 
Jesus. 

172 



"SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN" i73 

''One afternoon, as it grew toward the cool 
of the day, there having been a great crowd of 
people around Jesus all that day, he was very 
weary, as I could easily see from the worn look 
on his face. I spoke to Peter, and we drew a 
little aside to the shade of a tree, but a little way 
back from the river, where, taking off our cloaks, 
we made as soft a cushion as we could, and gently 
drew Jesus to a seat thereon. The look of love 
he gave us, as he took the seat for a few moments' 
rest, more than repaid us for the little we could 
do for his comfort. We, too, were weary, and 
James and other of the disciples joined us, seat- 
ing themselves on the grass around about Jesus. 

"It was our thought to keep back the crowd 
for a time, that Jesus might have rest. For a 
little time the people respected our wishes, and 
waited patiently in little groups near at hand 
to be ready when an opportunity offered to come 
nearer Jesus. Peter, as was often his wont, sat 
near me, for we were dear friends, and as we 
rested we saw coming in the distance, what 
seemed to be a great crowd of women and chil- 
dren. Peter first saw them, and called my at- 
tention to them. 'Who can they be?' said Peter 
in a low tone, not wishing to disturb Jesus, who , 
seemed to have forgotten for the time everything 
around him, and with a far-away look in his eyes 



174 THE STORY OF JESUS 

was turned so he could see the mountains in the 
blue distance. 

''As they came nearer, I saw that they were 
mothers with babes in their arms, while little 
ones scarce more than babes, clung to their gar- 
ments. Following them were older boys and 
girls, and they, too, were helping or carrying 
little ones in their arms. The mothers looked 
very weary, and the little ones clinging to their 
garments drew their feet along as if they were too 
heavy for them to lift from the ground. Some- 
times a mother would stop, and still holding her 
baby on one arm, stoop and lift another who 
seemed but a little older, to the other arm, and 
come wearily on her way. 

"As they came nearer, I saw one mother who 
seemed to walk a little apart from the others. 
Several children followed her, while she carried 
a babe in her arms. She had a beautiful face. 
Her eyes shone like stars, while her long hair 
had fallen to her waist, and her baby was play- 
ing with a long lock he had drawn over his 
mother's shoulder. A boy of about fourteen 
years bore in his strong arms a little sister scarce 
over two years old, and the child was laughing 
and pulling his hair, as he would take long steps 
forward, and then, seeing he was getting ahead 
of Ijis mother, would turn back or wait for her 





CHRIST BLESSING LITTLE CHILDREN 



"SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN" i75 

to reach him. Two others, a boy and girl who 
seemed to be of the same age, perhaps ten years, 
followed the others, hand in hand. 

"Anxious to know what was bringing this 
company of women and children, Peter and I 
went to meet them, and the crowd of people, 
who by this time saw them coming, also gathered 
around them, and men, women, and children 
were soon crowding around Jesus. The mother 
and children kept together, and, seeming to 
understand that Peter and I were disciples of 
Jesus, they kept close to us as we sought to regain 
our places near Jesus. 

'T heard the boy who carried his little sister 
say to his mother, 'Let me go first, dear mother, 
for I am strong, and the press of the people may 
hurt you or baby Ruth,' and she said, 'Nay, my 
son, I fear not the press of the people, if I may 
but lay the babe in the dear Jesus' arms,' and she 
pressed eagerly forward; while the babe, fright- 
ened by the rough face of a man who rudely 
jostled the mother, cried out. The mother stilled 
her by laying one hand gently over her mouth, 
saying in a soft voice, 'Hush, dear; Jesus is near.' 

"Peter had already reached the Master, and 
as I came up, the woman and her children were 
just behind me. I saw Peter motioning the crowd 
back, but it was all in vain. The other disciples 



176 THE STORY OF JESUS 

rebuked the women that crowded up with their 
children. 

''When Jesus saw that we would prevent the 
women from bringing the children to him, there 
came into his face a look of displeasure such as 
I had never before seen on his face for us, his 
chosen disciples, as he said, 'Suffer the little chil- 
dren to come unto me, and forbid them not, for 
of such is the kingdom of God.' Then turning 
towards the people, who now stood back of the 
women and children, holding out his hands as he 
did so to the baby Ruth, whose mother, coming 
close to him, with a look of joy in her face, lifted 
her baby and laid it in his arms, he said, 'Verily, 
I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the 
kingdom of heaven as a little child, he shall not 
enter therein.' 

"Before Jesus gave the babe back to the moth- 
er, he kissed the sweet face ; and the babe smiled, 
and raising her little hands, drew them softly 
over his face, and in the notes of a wood-dove 
cooed words of love to him. 

"As the mother took the child, the little hands 
fluttered as do the wings of young birds in the 
nest at the approach of the mother bird, to go 
back to Jesus. Jesus turned to take another babe 
in his arms, and the child Ruth was grieved, and 
the mother stepped back quickly to hush her 



"SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN" i77 

with such love words as only mothers know how 
to use. I was glad to see that not one of the 
five children of this mother missed the Saviour's 
blessing. Indeed, not one mother or child who 
came to Jesus was sent away unblessed. We, 
his disciples, who would not have them trouble 
the Master, after his rebuke did all that we could 
to help the mothers bring their children to Jesus, 
and we afterward sorrowed greatly that we could 
so misunderstand the wishes of our Master. 
Peter, who had little ones at home, especially 
mourned that he had even motioned them to go 
away, while others who spoke harshly to them, 
had the greater sorrow." 



CHAPTER XX 

THE ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM 

''Jesus, knowing that the Sanhedrin had de- 
creed his death, that from henceforth he was to 
live with a price upon his head, that it might 
fulfill his own prophecy — 'No man taketh it from 
me, but I lay it down of myself ; I have power to 
lay it down, and power to take it again; this 
commandment have I received of my Father' — 
retired with his disciples to an obscure city near 
the wilderness call Ephraim." 

"Grandfather," asks James, "did none others 
save you, his disciples, know where to find 
Jesus?" 

"A few faithful friends had knowledge, but 
they took great care that it should not become 
known to Jesus' enemies. I think it was the 
intention of the chief priests and Pharisees to 
put Jesus to death secretly, for they feared the 
people. They had published an order that if any 
man knew where he was, he was to reveal him, 
but as yet the bribe had no efTect. 

"My children, there is no memory of my life 
178 



THE ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM ^79 

with Jesus more dear to me than that of the few 
days we passed undisturbed by the multitude that 
had thronged about us for so long. We were 
for the larger part of the time alone with Jesus, 
and until this time we had never known the heart 
of love which he had for us. His tenderness 
was shown both in act and word. In the early 
morning we climbed the hill of Ephraim for 
morning prayer. Here we sang the songs of 
Zion, and some of our number had sweet voices 
for song. Here we drew closely around Jesus, 
and he rested on the green grass, while he 'spake 
to us as never man spake.' Here he tried to pre- 
pare us for the coming event of his death at Jeru- 
salem, but we could not — possibly because we 
would not — believe that this was really to take 
place. 

*'From the hill Ephraim, we could see the 
caravans of people who passed through the valley 
of the Jordan on their way to Jerusalem to the 
feast of the Passover. Jesus also determined to 
be at the feast, and although we feared the chief 
priests. Scribes, and his other enemies, we pre- 
pared to follow him. 

"As we left the little town and began our jour- 
ney, Jesus looked back, and tears gathered in 
his eyes, which when we saw — Peter and I — 
knowing as we did that these days spent here had 



i8o THE STORY OF JESUS 

been full of peace and rest, we asked Jesus if 
we might not tarry a little longer, and reminded 
him that the Jews were seeking his life to destroy 
it. 

''It was then that in a few words he spoke to 
us plainly of his betrayal, condemnation, and 
death, even by crucifixion, which was to be ac- 
complished at Jerusalem. Even yet our minds 
seemed holden that we could not understand, and 
we were so full of the thought of Jesus as the 
Messiah, that, while perplexed by the seeming 
contradiction, we would not believe that there 
was to come a downfall of our ambitious hopes 
for a kingdom on earth with Jesus as king. We 
believed that he was the Messiah, and to us the 
Messiah was a great king who was to restore the 
departed glory of Israel. 

"Among the women who had followed Jesus 
into retirement was my mother. She as little 
understood as did we, her sons, that the kingdom 
of Christ was to be a spiritual rather than a tem- 
poral one. Mother was very ambitious for her 
sons, James and myself, as what mether is not? 
And I am sorry to say that we who ought to have 
known better, having lived so long with Jesus, 
were also ambitious for ourselves. 

''Mother, thinking that this would be a good 
time to have an interview with Jesus, came to 



THE ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM i8i 

him secretly, and asked that in his kingdom her 
two sons might sit the one on his right hand 
and the other on his left. I shall never forget 
the look of pain that was on the face of Jesus, 
as he turned toward us — for we were with mother 
— and said, 'Ye know not what ye ask; can ye 
drink of the cup that I drink of and be baptized 
with the baptism that I am baptized with?' And 
we said unto him. We can/ And Jesus said unto 
us, 'Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink 
of; and with the baptism that I am baptized 
withal shall ye be baptized ; but to sit on my right 
hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; 
but it shall be given to them for whom it is pre- 
pared/ 

"How little we knew what we asked! In a 
few days, upon the right and left hands of Jesus, 
were two crucified thieves. 

"We said we were able to drink of the cup 
given Jesus, yet we forsook him in his bitter 
hour when he was betrayed by one of his own 
disciples. We have, indeed, since then suffered 
many things because of our love and loyalty to 
him, as you know, Peter and James and others 
of our number having counted it all joy to die 
for his sake, while I only am left to mourn that 
I abandoned my beloved Master in his hour of 
greatest need." 



i82 THE STORY OF JESUS 

With thoughts of that bitter hour and of his 
own lack of strength to bear it with Jesus, the 
old man bows his head in sorrow, and it is some 
time before the children can comfort him, with 
loving words and tender kisses, while Judith 
uses her favorite comfort in the words, "Dear 
grandfather, you were the loved disciple." 

And Doris adds, "And you know that Jesus 
forgave you and loved you, even on the cross; 
for was not his mother given to you to care for 
and love?" 

"Ah, children, you are comforters indeed; 
but it has been my crown of sorrows that I could 
have failed my Master. 

"When the ten learned of mother's request 
for us, knowing it was made at our desire, 
they were angry that we should attempt to ob- 
tain honor above the rest. As little did they 
understand that all honor that was to come to 
any of us as disciples of Jesus was in living lives 
of poverty and persecution, and finally receiving 
death at the hands of Jesus' enemies. 

"Once more Jesus passed over Jordan into 
Judea. Behind him was Perea and Galilee, as 
well as the blessed work of his ministry; before 
him the concluding acts of his life overshadowed 
by the cross. 

"As we reached Jericho, it was in the after- 



THE ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM 183 

noon of an early spring, which is Hke summer 
in this City of Palms. The city is protected by 
four walls, within which is the palace built by 
Herod and the gardens of his son Archelaus. All 
around were groves of feathery palms, gardens 
of roses, and fields of sweet-scented balsam. Far 
across the river rise the mountains of Moab, 
where rocks, the hiding-place of robbers, stretch 
toward Jerusalem. 

"As we reached the city, a crowd of people 
came out from Jericho to meet us — men, women, 
and children. Some came because they had 
heard of the raising of Lazarus from the dead; 
others because the chief priests had decreed his 
death, and wondering at his bravery, desired to 
see this man. Besides the people from Jericho, 
the caravans from different parts of the country 
met at Jericho on their way to Jerusalem, and 
among these people were many of those who had 
been healed by Jesus in their own towns and 
cities, many that had listened to his gracious 
words. 

"Among the many who came from Jericho was 
a pubHcan named Zaccheus. This man, although 
he was a Jew, was despised by them, because he 
was a tax-gatherer. He had obtained great 
wealth through dishonest gains — was, indeed, as 
they said in derision, a publican and a sinner. 



184 THE STORY OF JESUS 

This man, wishing to see Jesus, and being small 
of stature, had climbed a sycamore tree. As the 
crowd thronged about us, I was walking on 
Jesus' right side, with my arm thrown around 
him to protect him from the press of people. 
When we passed under the boughs of this syca- 
more tree, I felt Jesus pause, and thought he was 
wishing to lean against the trunk for a moment's 
rest. So I withdrew my arm ; but he only raised 
his eyes and said, 'Zaccheus, make haste and 
come down; for to-day I must abide at thy 
house.' 

"At his words, a man I had not before seen 
came down and received us joyfully, and we went 
with him to his own house. Here we were treat- 
ed with the greatest kindness. A comfortable 
room was given to Jesus for his use, and Peter, 
James, and I cared for our Master's wants most 
tenderly. But even we wondered why Jesus 
had chosen out of all that crowd from Jericho, 
among whom were many reputable Jews, this 
publican. 

"And now there arose a great tumult outside 
the house, on this very account. Zaccheus, hear- 
ing it, stood where he could be heard by many, 
and said to Jesus, 'Behold, Lord, the half of my 
goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken 



THE ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM 185 

anything from any man by false accusation, I 
restore him fourfold.' 

"At these words Jesus looked upon him, and 
a smile Hghted his sorrowful face, as he said, 
This day is salvation come to thy house, for 
as much as he also is a son of Abraham. For the 
Son of Man is come to seek and to save that 
which is lost.' 

"We remained in the house of Zaccheus that 
night, and in the morning went on our way to 
Bethany. During this day many people came to 
see Jesus, both for his own sake, and for Laza- 
rus', whom he had raised from the dead. Al- 
though he appeared openly, the Jews dared not 
come and take him by force, for they feared not 
only Jesus' friends, but the friends of Lazarus 
and Martha and Mary, for they were people of 
good repute and of considerable substance. 

"On the Sabbath day there was given to Jesus 
a supper in the house of Simon, the leper, or 
rather Simon who had been a leper but had been 
healed by Jesus on a former visit to Bethany. 

"Among those who sat at table with Jesus 
was Lazarus, while Martha and Mary assisted in 
the serving. As was my wont, I sat near Jesus, 
and I saw Mary come forward bearing in her hand 
an alabaster vial of spikenard, very costly. As I 



1 86 THE STORY OF JESUS 

wondered what she was about to do, she came 
close behind Jesus, and removing the alabaster 
stone from the top of the vial, she stooped down 
and poured the perfume over Jesus' feet, while 
she wiped them with her long hair, which she 
had loosed from the fillet which bound it on the 
top of her head; 'and the house was filled with 
the odor of the ointment.' 

"As we wondered at the scene, Judas Iscariot, 
who sat next me at the table, said, 'Why was 
not this ointment sold for three hundred pence 
and given to the poor?' 

"It was not until afterward we knew why- 
Judas was so anxious to have money in the bag 
for the poor. We knew not that he was a thief. 
But Jesus only said, 'Let her alone. Against the 
day of my burial hath she done this. For the 
poor ye have always with you, but me ye have not 
always.' " 

As the old man pauses for a moment, Judith 
asks, "Grandfather, did Mary understand that 
Jesus' death was near at hand?" 

"I think she did, my child. It was not the 
first time, nor will it be the last, that the loving, 
tender heart of woman hath discerned things not 
revealed to her brother man." 

"May it not be," continued Doris, "that Jesus 




ANOINTING THE FEET OF JESUS 



THE ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM 187 

had told her plainly that he was to die at Jerusa- 
lem, on his last visit at the home in Bethany?" 

"No doubt, my dear, he had done so, but 
he had also told us plainly, yet we were deceived, 
or rather deceived ourselves, by false hopes of 
an earthly kingdom. To Mary was given a 
spiritual nature, and she saw with an inner vision 
spiritual things. Then she loved the Master 
with an exceeding great love, and in her love 
and sorrow broke the bottle of precious ointment 
as the best possible expression of her devotion; 
and of her offering, the Master said, 'Verily, I 
say unto you, wheresoever this gospel shall be 
preached in the whole world, there shall also 
this that the woman hath done be told for a 
memorial of her.' " 

''That was a rich reward," exclaims Judith, 
"for even an alabaster box of precious ointment. 
But I see you look weary, dear grandfather, and 
we will leave you to rest." 

"My dear children, as I draw near the end 
of my story of Jesus, I reaUze that I have left 
many incidents that had I time and strength 
I would gladly supply. You will remember that 
at the beginning, I only promised to pick 
up a pebble here and there, to pluck a rose 
of Sharon and a lily of the valley, as I went 



i88 THE STORY OF JESUS 

on my way. Jesus has come very near to me as 
we have gathered together each day. I have 
seemed to see him as one of our group, as we 
gathered on this porch of our dear home, or at 
our favorite meeting-place at the old oak on the 
hillside which looks toward the beautiful city of 
Ephesus. 

''Less often than at the beginning, you, my 
dear children, speak of the oak, or any other 
place except this porch, as a meeting-place. I 
have understood that this was because of my 
growing weakness. I know that it is becoming 
more and more difficult to go each day to even- 
ing worship, and I sometimes think that when I 
close this story of the life of my dear Lord, I 
may hear him say, 'Come !' and O how gladly 
will I go to be forever with my beloved." 

The old man's voice falters with these words, 
and as he raises his eyes toward heaven, the 
children look up into his face with loving rev- 
erence, and their own hearts grow sorrowful with 
the thought that when the beloved disciple is 
called to be with his Master, there will be for 
them no longer a Grandfather John. Miriam, 
being so young, only understands that for some 
reason it is very still, and as she sees tears gather 
in her grandfather's eyes, knowing not that they 
are tears of joy, she creeps into his arms and 



THE ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM 109 

kisses them away. These caresses bring him back 
to the present, and he continues the story of yes- 
terday. 

''It had become well known that the rulers 
of the Jews, the chief priests, and Scribes, were 
seeking Jesus' life to destroy it ; yet there was a 
general expectation that Jesus would come to the 
Passover feast, and his arrival was looked for 
both with curiosity and interest. Many there 
were who loved him and longed to both see and 
hear him, but they feared the rulers, and spoke 
secretly one to another of their wishes and ex- 
pectations. 

"When it became known, early that Sabbath 
morning, that Jesus was surely to be in Jerusa- 
lem, a mixed multitude went out to meet him. 
In the meanwhile, Jesus and his apostles, with 
many disciples, left Bethany for Jerusalem. It 
was early spring, and we went on our way re- 
joicing, for were we not on our way to the great 
feast, and soon to be in the Holy City, in the 
temple of our God? Already we, his disciples, 
had largely put out of our minds what Jesus 
had said about his coming death, and as the 
large number of his disciples that followed him 
from Bethany were joined by others on our way, 
Peter said to me, 'See how the multitude follow 
after Jesus !' And we began to say to each other. 



190 THE STORY OF JESUS 

Terhaps at this time he will show himself a king, 
and with such mighty power that even the rulers 
will accept him.' 

"As we drew near Bethphage, a little city 
on the outskirts of Jerusalem, Jesus called Peter 
and myself to him, and sent us into the village, 
with these words, 'Go into the village over against 
you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, 
and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them 
unto me. And if any man say aught unto you, 
ye shall say. The Lord hath need of them, and 
straightway he will send them.' 

"We went and found it was even as Jesus 
said, and we brought them unto Jesus. Just at 
this time two great companies met, our own from 
Bethany, which had been joined by pilgrims from 
the countries and towns beyond Bethany, and a 
mixed multitude from Jerusalem. 

"The multitude had come out from the city 
with instruments of music, and greeted us with 
songs and great rejoicing. As they drew near, 
they cut down palm branches, which they waved 
in their hands, shouting, 'Hosanna! Welcome, 
welcome, to the feast of Jerusalem !' 

"As we saw the waving boughs and heard the 
glad voices shouting, Peter took off his cloak 
and put it upon the colt, and Andrew, quick to 
see what was in Peter's mind, added his also; 



THE ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM 191 

and James lifted Jesus upon the colt, while I 
gladly walked by his side. Other disciples took 
their garments and spread them in the way before 
him, while our company of men, women, and 
children broke down branches of trees and spread 
them in the path before him. So great was the 
press of people about him that women caught 
back their children, lest they should be trampled 
upon, the children themselves, so eager in shout- 
ing 'Hosanna !' that they had no thought of dan- 
ger. Other mothers lifted their babes above their 
heads that they might see Jesus, while their baby 
hands held pieces of palms, and some of them for 
the first time lisped the word 'Hosanna !' 

''As the long line of people reached the ridge 
of hills and passed over where begins the descent 
of the Mount of Olives, we caught the first sight 
of the city. The hosannas broke out afresh. 
'Hosanna to the Son of David ; blessed be he that 
Cometh in the name of the Lord ; Hosanna, ho- 
sanna in the highest.' 

"On, on the great procession moved, and at last 
we stood in full sight of the city. Here Jesus and 
we that were with him paused to look upon the 
beautiful scene. As my own eyes filled with tears 
of joy and exultation, I heard the voice of bitter 
weeping. Jesus was stretching out his arms over 
Jerusalem, and, as St. Luke says of this time — 



192 THE STORY OF JESUS 

*And when he came near, he beheld the city and 
wept over it, saying, ''If thou hadst known, even 
thou, at least in thy day the things which belong 
unto thy peace. But now they are hid from thine 
eyes, for the day shall come upon thee that thine 
enemies shall cast a trench about thee and com- 
pass thee round and keep thee on every side, and 
shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy 
children within thee, and they shall not leave in 
thee one stone upon another, because thou know- 
est not the time of my visitation.'* ' 

"Children, you know only too well that this 
prophecy was filled in less than fifty years, and 
Jerusalem, our beloved Jerusalem, is even as a 
desert place. 

"Again the great company moved on, taking 
up once more their songs of rejoicing and loud 
hosannas. Among the people were many Phari- 
sees, and they were greatly troubled that to 
Jesus should be given such kingly homage, and 
they begged of us, his disciples, that we ask Jesus 
to rebuke the crowd. Jesus, hearing their words, 
turned upon them, and his face was so kingly 
in his indignation, that they fell back abashed by 
his looks even more than his words : 'I tell you 
that if these should hold their peace, the stones 
would immediately cry out.' 

"As we reached the city, the people asked. 



THE ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM 193 

'Who is this?' And the answer was given, 'This 
is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth.' We, his dis- 
ciples, were displeased that the multitude, be- 
cause they feared the rulers, should speak of 
Jesus as the prophet of Nazareth, instead of 
shouting as before, 'Blessed is the king of Israel 
that cometh in the name of the Lord.' 

"Soon after, the multitude dispersed, as 
it was against the law for processions to come 
to the temple, and the dusty feet of the multi- 
tude were in need of washing, and their garments, 
as well, must be shaken free from dust before 
they entered the temple. After Jesus and our- 
selves were properly cleansed, we entered the 
outer court, and again, as once before, Jesus 
drove out the cattle, and overthrew the tables 
of the money-changers, and no man dared say 
him nay. 

"Then Jesus, as at other times, healed those 
that were sick, comforted those that were 
troubled, and spoke such wonderful words that 
the people marveled greatly. Even the children 
continued their glad hosannas, and the Pharisees 
and rulers were impotent to prevent this homage. 

"In such scenes as these, passed this event- 
ful day, and at eventide we returned to dear 
Bethany for a night's rest. 

"We, too, will sing an evening hymn, and 



194 THE STORY OF JESUS 

after our simple meal will seek our rest, remem- 
bering that it is to us as to all the Israel of God, 
to say, 'I will both lay me down in peace and 
sleep, for thou. Lord, only maketh me dwell in 
safety/ " 



CHAPTER XXI 

IN THE TEMPLE^ AND AT BETHANY 

^'Dear children, we will take up our story 
where we left it last evening. From a retreat 
near Bethany, we returned early Monday morn- 
ing to Jerusalem and the temple. We were met 
by a large body of chief priests, Scribes, and 
Rabbis, who demanded of Jesus why he had come 
into the city with hosannas, accompanied by a 
multitude, and by what authority he had driven 
out the money-changers. Jesus, turning upon 
them with the flashing eye of deep indignation, 
asked them in turn the question, 'The baptism of 
John; was it from heaven or of men?' 

''They dared not reply to this question. If 
they said, 'Of God,' John bore witness of Jesus, 
and by that witness gave Jesus authority from 
God to do these things. If they said 'Of men,' 
they feared the people, for all men counted John 
as a prophet, and after conferring with each 
other, they were forced to reply, 'We cannot 
tell.' With what matchless dignity Jesus replied : 
'Neither tell I you by what authority I do these 
things.' 

I9S 



196 THE STORY OF JESUS 

''Jesus then continued his greatest words to 
the people, teaching them many things in par- 
able. Many times while I have been giving you 
this story in simple words fitted for the under- 
standing of children, I have desired to pause 
and recite you the parables of Jesus in his own 
words, but they are given us by brothers Mat- 
thew, Mark, and Luke, as well as written out by 
my own pen in my gospel, and there you can read 
them, for I feel that I must use my little strength 
in making as real to you as possible the living 
Jesus, who was and is our Master. Besides, 
dears, it is my hope that you will be induced 
from this personal story of Jesus which I am 
giving you, to turn with greater interest to the 
Scriptures, and that Jesus being real God-man to 
you, as he was to me, may become not only your 
hero of all things great and good, but divine 
Saviour as well." 

"Grandfather," exclaims James, "I do see 
things I never saw before. Between our talks I 
have been studying the rolls, and they seem to 
speak to me in living voices, instead of written 
words." 

"It has pleased me greatly, my son," replies 
Grandfather John, "to see you thus studying the 
gospels, but do not forget to study the law and 



IN THE TEMPLE, AND AT BETHANY 197 

the prophets as well, for Christ himself has said, 
'They are they which testify of me.' 

''But I will return to the events of Monday. 
The entire day was spent in teaching in the tem- 
ple, as I have before said, largely in parables, the 
meaning of some of which Jesus gave to us then, 
while others we understood after he had returned 
to his Father. 

"At evening we again sought rest at Bethany, 
and returned early on the following morning to 
the temple. This, although we little thought 
it at the time, was to be Jesus' last day in the 
temple. During the night before his enemies 
had taken counsel among themselves how they 
might confuse him in his talk, hoping to find 
reasons for his condemnation, and scarcely was he 
seated in his usual place of teaching, when a 
deputation of Herodians came to him and asked 
him, Ts it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or 
no?' 

"This was a plot of the rulers, for they said, 
Tf he answers. It is lawful, we need have no fur- 
ther fear of his lasting influence with our people ; 
if he reply, It is not lawful, Caesar himself will 
condemm him.' " 

"Grandfather," breaks in Alex, "how could 
even Jesus escape an answer which requires either 
yes or no?" 



19S THE STORY OF JESUS 

''My son, that was the thought of the rulers 
who sent the Herodians and had some of their 
own brightest Rabbis ready to take up the ques- 
tion when Jesus should reply. But list to his an- 
swer : 'Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Show 
me the tribute money,' and they brought him a 
penny. And he said unto them, 'Whose is this 
image and superscription?' And they said unto 
him, 'Caesar's.' Then saith he unto them, 'Ren- 
der unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and 
unto God the things that are God's.' When they 
heard these things, they marveled, and left him, 
and went their way. 

"Other attempts were made to entangle Jesus 
as they came in pausing to drop their gifts, there 
in his talk, but they all failed, and even some 
of the Scribes could not refrain from words of 
praise, for they said, 'Master, thou hast well 
said.' " 

"Grandfather," says Judith, "was it not on 
this day that Jesus cried out in the temple : 'O 
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the 
prophets and stonest them that are sent unto 
thee, how often would I have gathered thy chil- 
dren together, even as a hen gathereth her chick- 
ens under her wings, and ye would not ! Behold 
your house is left unto you desolate'?" 

"You are right, my child. And never can I 



IN THE TEMPLE, AND AT BETHANY 199 

forget the look of pity and tenderness upon the 
Saviour's face as he uttered the words 'and ye 
would not.' 

"There was one beautiful incident of the day 
which I wish to give you. In the court of women 
there were placed thirteen chests, each shaped 
like a trumpet, to receive the offerings for the 
poor. As we stood near, watching the people 
as they came in pausing to drop their gifts, there 
came a rich Pharisee, dressed in his silken gar- 
ments, and bearing a money bag of wrought 
threads of silver and gold. Looking about to see 
if many were near to observe his offering, and as 
he saw other Pharisees and some learned Rabbis 
near, he drew the golden string, and putting in 
his hand, took out of the full bag, several golden 
coins, and passing to the farthest chest, dropped 
them in. 

"Following after came a poor woman. Her 
dress was scant, her shoulders bent from toiling 
long in the field, and her hands rough and worn 
with hard labor. She came timidly forward to 
the first chest, and from a little knot in her ker- 
chief took two mites, the smallest of coins, and 
dropped them in. Turning to go away she 
chanced (was it chance?) to raise her eyes to 
Jesus. Over his face came the first smile of the 
day, as breaking sunlight from a dark cloud. The 



200 THE STORY OF JESUS 

smile was for the poor woman. As she stood 
awestruck in the radiance of his loving look, he 
said, turning with a wave of his hand to the Phari- 
see and others that stood near, who had brought 
rich offerings of gold and silver coins, 'Of a 
truth, I say unto you, that this widow hath cast 
in more than they all. For all these have of their 
abundance cast in unto the offerings of God, but 
she of her penury hath cast in all the living she 
had/ " 

"Grandfather," says Doris, ''this makes me 
think of the time when Jesus said 'the gift of even 
a cup of cold water shall not lose its reward.' " 

"I am so glad," exclaims Miriam, "for I can 
do that much, if I am a little girl," for the dear 
child had been listening to the story of the poor 
woman, while what had gone before had been of 
little interest to her, on account of her tender 
years. 

"Dear grandfather, don't you want a cup of 
water?" continues Miriam. 

"Yes, sweetheart, and no doubt also do your 
father and Baanah, who are in yonder olive gar- 
den." 

At his words, the happy child runs for the 
gourd and gives them each a drink. Then she is 
seen on her way to the garden of olives to minister 
like refreshment to her father and the servant. 



IN THE TEMPLE, AND AT BETHANY 201 

As grandfather's eyes tenderly follow the 
child, he turns to Judith, and says, "The dear 
little one becomes weary with our long talks, 
and the visit to her father will give her rest. We 
must remember in our teaching of these of 
whom Jesus said, 'Of such is the khigdom of 
heaven,' that he also said, 'Milk for babes,' and 
not give them the strong meat which you older 
ones are able to receive." 

Returning to the story of the day, grandfather 
continues : 

"Not long after the incident I have given 
you of the poor woman and her gift of two mites, 
Jesus, followed by us, his disciples, left the temple 
for the last time. As we left the outer porch, 
Jesus turned, with a long, long look as it were 
of sadness and tender reproach, and drew a long 
sigh. As I was near, I drew his arm through 
mine, and he leaned for a moment against my 
shoulder. So sorrowful were his eyes that mine 
filled with tears. I beckoned to Peter and James, 
who also were looking back upon the temple, and 
we followed Jesus, as did the other disciples, 
down the stone steps, and took our way with only 
a few others, among whom were some faithful 
women, through the Valley of Cedron up the 
Mount of Olives, which was on the way to Beth- 
any. 



202 THE STORY OF JESUS ' 

"Seated on the mount, under the shade of the 
olives, Jesus gave us the parable of the separa- 
tion of the sheep and the goats. He also spake 
in words we understood not at the time, of the 
destruction of Jerusalem, and finally told us plain- 
ly of his death, in these words, 'Ye know that 
after two da3^s is the Passover, and the Son of 
Man is betrayed to the crucified/ That night we 
took our last walk with Jesus to Bethany." 

At these words the old man pauses, unable for 
a time to continue his story, while the children, 
saddened by his words and manner, with the 
shadow of the coming death of the Lord Jesus, 
remained silent. 

Rousing at length, the old man continues : 

''It was a little late in the evening, as we drew 
near the home at Bethany, Jesus and I, for the 
others had left us outside the village that we 
might the more quietly reach the home of Laza- 
rus, Martha, and Mary. Mary met us at the 
door, for the family had been looking for us for 
the last hour. Jesus went at once to the room 
which loving hands had prepared for him, and 
Lazarus took my usual place in serving him. 
It was Lazarus' wish to do this, and I who had 
been so blessed as to be the one to give daily 
service to my beloved Master, was glad to give 
place to one who so loved him. 




CHRIST AT THE HOME OF MARY AND MARTHA 



IN THE TEMPLE, AND AT BETHANY 203 

"The evening meal waited for us, and when 
Jesus was ready, we sat down. Lazarus and Mary 
sat with us at table, while Martha, at her own 
choice, served us. No servant was allowed to 
intrude upon us at that meal. Martha, good 
housewife that she was, had provided a comfort- 
ing meal. There were fish from the brook, olives 
from their own garden, and early fruits sent from 
a distance — for the fruit in their own orchards 
was not yet ripe — and a fragrant drink, which 
was prepared by Martha, from some delicate 
leaves, as only Martha knew how to prepare it. 
At its close, Martha left the room, and brought 
in and poured out for us the sweet juice of the 
grape, which had been crushed freshly for the 
supper. 

"I have told you thus carefully of the meal 
to please Judith and Doris, who, as they are to 
be housewives, no doubt, can well learn from the 
good Martha, who, no less than her sister Mary, 
loved Jesus, and for love's sake performed house- 
wifely service for him. 

"With such a host as Lazarus and such a 
guest as Jesus, with the company of the beautiful 
and spiritually minded Mary and the careful 
and attentive Martha, the meal has been a loving 
memory all my life long. The words that pro- 
ceeded out of Jesus' mouth, the questions asked 



204 THE STORY OF JESUS 

by the thoughtful Mary and answered by his, 
the tenderness of our love for our beloved, and 
his greater love shown for us, in the privacy 
of this home as at no other time and in no other 
place, has made that evening a most memorable 
one. I cannot but believe that our love as freely 
shown, both in acts and words that night, helped 
to prepare the human side^of Jesus' nature for the 
bitterness of the days that were to follow. Yet 
if we could have known, if we could but more 
fully have understood, might we not in some 
way have brought to him greater comfort than 
we did? 

"But I must linger no longer over the scenes 
of that night." 



CHAPTER XXII 

THE LAST SUPPER 

"I have now, my children, a part of my story 
to tell which I would gladly omit, but as it must 
of necessity be told, I will give it in as few words 
as possible. I mean the betrayal of our blessed 
Master by one of his chosen apostles. As I have 
said, it had at first been the intent of the chief 
priests and rulers of the Jews to take Jesus secret- 
ly and put him to death. Later they had decided 
to wait until after the Passover, as they feared 
the people who came from the villages and coun- 
try, who were largely Jesus' friends. However, 
the strong condemnation of his enemies by Jesus 
in the temple, Tuesday, their utter inability to 
entangle him with their questions, and the hosan- 
nas of the multitude, had so angered them, that 
they met on the night of Tuesday to take meas- 
ures for his immediate death. 

"While they were taking council how they 

might with least danger to themselves accomplish 

their purpose, Judas Iscariot came before them 

and offered to betray his Master. Delighted to 

205 



2o6 THE STORY OF JESUS 

have the way opened to them, they yet despised 
the traitor, and as the offer came first from him, 
they could bargain as they would, and Jesus was 
sold by Judas to the rulers for thirty pieces of 
silver, or the price of a slave, according to the 
law of Moses." 

''Grandfather," says James, ''I do not see how 
Judas could possibly have become so wicked as 
to commit this dreadful crime." 

"My son, the decision was not reached in a 
day, and he had prepared himself by a long life 
of envy, avarice, and thieving, for this possibility. 
It was indeed true that Satan had entered into 
him. 

"For a long time I had felt that Judas was 
not a good, true man, but I did not know he was 
a thief, and I would not have believed it was 
possible for him to commit this great wickedness ; 
but I do not like to dwell upon this," and the old 
man shudders as if in a sudden chill. 

"From this on, Judas sought a time when, 
with least danger to himself — for he was a coward 
— he could bring Jesus into the hands of his 
enemies. On Wednesday, Judas, as well as the 
rulers, and the people who loved Jesus, looked 
for him in vain in Jerusalem, at the temple. It 
was Jesus' will to remain in retirement all that 
day and the succeeding night, and it was not 



THE LAST SUPPER 207 

until Thursday that he called his disciples to- 
gether and spoke to us of the preparation needed 
to keep the feast of the Passover, and he called 
Peter and me to him, saying, 'Go ye into the 
city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a 
pitcher of water ; follow him, and wheresoever he 
shall go in, say ye to the good man of the house. 
The Master saith where is the guest chamber 
where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples? 
and he will show you a large upper room, fur- 
nished and prepared; there make ready for us.' 
And we went forth and came into the city and 
found as he had said, and we made ready the 
Passover. 

"After Peter and I had prepared all the things 
necessary, we returned to Jesus. As it grew 
toward evening, Jesus, with the twelve, Judas 
also being with us, left Bethany, and over the 
old road we had so often walked together, came 
to Jerusalem. Avoiding, as far as possible, the 
most frequented streets, the people being busy 
with their own preparations for the feast, paying 
less attention to us than at other times, we 
reached the house and the room which Peter and 
I had prepared for the occasion." 

"Grandfather," says Judith, "will you describe 
the room to us?" 

"It was like other Eastern rooms, the cen- 



2o8 THE STORY OF JESUS 

tral parts covered with mats, and Peter and I 
had covered the table, and had the cushions 
ready for use. These cushions or couches were 
large enough to hold three persons, and were 
placed around three sides of a long, low table of 
painted wood. The seat of honor was in the 
middle, and this was given to our Lord. The 
guests sat much as we do now, reclining on the 
left elbow, with the right hand free. To me 
was given a place at my Lord's right hand, next 
to him. On the next cushion was brother James, 
and at the left of Jesus, Judas Iscariot, while 
Peter's place was at the left of Judas.* 

*'I am sorry to tell you, my children, that 
in taking our places at the table, a discussion 
arose as to who should have the chief seats. It 
seems strange that at such a time as this, when 
our hearts were saddened by the approaching 
death of our Lord, we should have contended 
over so trifling a distinction. When we came into 
the room, we had, of course, left our sandals at 
the door. There was no servant to provide water 
and wash our feet, and although any of us would 
have been glad to wash Jesus' feet, we were none 
of us ready to perform like service for our fellow 
disciples, and this usual custom had been omitted. 
Even after we were seated at the table, some of 

*Canon Farrar's Life of Christ. 



THE LAST SUPPER 209 

our number, dissatisfied with their places, con- 
tinued to murmur, although in low tones, in re- 
gard to them. 

"I cannot express to you our shame and our 
repentance for our conduct after what followed. 
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all 
things into his hands and that he was come from 
God and went to God, riseth from supper and 
laid aside his garments and took a towel and 
girded himself. After that he poureth water into 
a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and 
to wipe them with the towel with which he was 
girded. 

"As Jesus began with my feet, I was too aston- 
ished and ashamed to say aught, and there was 
silence until Jesus reached Peter. Like myself, 
Peter felt that we were more to blame than the 
rest, for had we not been sent by our Master to 
prepare the feast? and we ought also to have been 
ready to take the servant's place, rather than 
the chief seats at the table. So it was no wonder 
that Peter exclaimed, 'Lord, not my feet only, 
but also my hands and my head.' But Jesus only 
said, 'He that is washed needeth not save to wash 
his feet, but is clean every whit. And ye are clean, 
but not all.' I wondered greatly what he meant 
by the words 'but not all.' There were only two 



2IO THE STORY OF JESUS 

at the table who understood, and they were Jesus 
and his betrayer. 

"As Jesus took his seat again, he said, 'Ye 
call me Master and Lord, and ye say well, for so 
I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have 
washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one an- 
other's feet.' 

"My heart was very sore at thought of my 
neglect of duty, for to me as well as to Peter it 
had been given to prepare the feast; and I, too, 
had been unwilling to perform a servant's duty 
for my fellow disciples, and in my pride had also 
failed to provide water for the dusty feet of my 
Master; and as I leaned my head toward my 
Master, I whispered, 'Dear Lord, forgive!' and 
with a look of tender love on his face, he drew my 
head to his breast, and I knew I was forgiven. 

"As we continued eating Jesus said, 'He that 
eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel 
against me,' and a little later he added, 'Verily, 
verily, I say unto you, one of you shall betray 
me.' 

"As Jesus said this we looked one to another, 
scarce believing it possible that this thing could 
be true; then as each of us looked into his own 
heart and remembered how many things we had 
done we ought not to have done, how even but 



THE LAST SUPPER 211 

a short time before, we were contending with 
each other for first places at table, we began to 
say, *Lord, is it I?' As Jesus remained silent, 
Peter motioned to me that I who was very near 
to Jesus, should ask who it was. Speaking low, 
that none except Peter should know, I asked, 
*Lord, who is it?' and Jesus answered, *He it is 
to whom I shall give a sop when I have dipped it,' 
and when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to 
Judas Iscariot, and even as the sop was taken by 
Judas, he, too, said, 'Master, is it I?' and Jesus 
in a low tone answered. Thou hast said' ; and in 
a louder voice added, 'What thou doest, do 
quickly.' 

"This word of the Master was not understood 
save by Peter and myself, but it was thought that 
Jesus meant that Judas who had the bag, was to 
buy things for the feast, or that he should give 
something to the poor. Judas went immediately 
out, and it was night. 

"As we were eating, Jesus took bread and 
blessed it and brake it, and gave it to us, saying, 
'Take, eat. This is my body.' And he took the 
cup and gave thanks and gave it to us, saying, 
'Drink ye all of it, for this is my blood of the New 
Testament, which is shed for many, for the remis- 
sion of sins ; but I say unto you, I will not drink 



212 THE STORY OF JESUS 

henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day 
when I drink it new with you in my Father's 
kingdom/ 

"It was during this evening that Jesus gave 
us the wonderful words which you, my children, 
will find in my gospel — his promise of mansions 
in the Father's house for those who love him. 
It was at this time that he gave us the new com- 
mandment that 'ye love one another as I have 
loved you/ It was at this time that he said he 
must go away, but he would send the Comforter 
unto us. As we all sorrowed at the thought that 
our beloved Master was to leave us, Peter asked 
the question that was in all our minds, 'Whither 
goest thou?' 

''When Jesus answered, 'Whither I go thou 
canst not follow me now, but thou shalt follow 
me afterwards,' Peter was so excited at the 
thought, that he rose up from his seat at the table, 
and coming near to Jesus said, 'Lord, why can- 
not I follow thee now? I will lay down my life 
for thy sake' ; and so said we all. 

"Jesus was silent for a moment as he looked 
around upon us, and his face grew sorrowful, for 
he knew that only a little later we would all for- 
sake him and flee. Then turning to Peter, who 
still stood close to him, he said in a voice of re- 



THE LAST SUPPER 213 

proachful sadness, 'Verily, verily I say unto thee, 
the cock shall not crow till thou hast denied me 
thrice.' 

"As Peter returned to his seat, I heard him 
say to himself, 'I will lay down my life for Jesus' 
sake !' 

''But poor Peter, like the rest of us, was self- 
deceived. Jesus knew Peter as Peter did not 
know himseff; and, dear children, just as truly 
does he know us now. 

"Before we left that upper room, Jesus prayed 
with us, and we sang with him. He also gave 
us a blessed benediction which I will now give 
you : 'Peace I leave with you ; my peace I give 
unto you. Not as the world giveth give I unto 
you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let 
it be afraid.' " 

As Grandfather John pronounces the familiar 
benediction, the children rise and stand with 
hands folded reverently, and as they raise their 
eyes to the dear old man's face, Judith whispers 
to Doris, "See how the peace of God rests upon 
grandfather's face! Oh, Doris," and the tears 
come into her eyes, "I hope grandfather is not 
going to leave us now ! He looks all ready for 
heaven, and we would miss him so !" 

Doris throws her arms around Judith, saying, 



214 THE STORY OF JESUS 

''Judith, he is always ready for heaven. It seems 
to me he Hves most of the time in heaven, but I 
think he will stay with us yet a little longer." 

''I know," says Judith, ''it is selfish to want 
to keep him, when he so longs to go. But what 
should we do without our Grandfather John?" 

The old man catches the sound of the last 
sentence, as Judith unconsciously, in her earnest- 
ness, speaks louder than at first. 

"My dear girls, you have one far more able 
to do for you than the feeble old man you love 
as Grandfather John. Jesus is never far away 
from any that call upon him in sincerity and 
truth, and to you also the Comforter, who is the 
spirit of truth, has been sent, and he will bring 
all things to your remembrance that I have said 
unto you of Jesus and his children." 

After a moment's silence, he adds, "My dears, 
I am too much worn with the memories which 
come to me as I talk of these last days to follow 
further with you our Saviour through the bitter 
scenes of Thursday night, so I will leave until 
to-morrow the garden of Gethsemane, and the 
trial before the Sanhedrin and Pilate." 




CHRIST AT GETHSEMANE 



CHAPTER XXIII 

GETHSEMANE 

''My children, you, with your tender years, 
and I in the feebleness of old age, are both unable 
to enter too closely or too deeply into the dark- 
ness and mystery of Gethsemane. As our blessed 
Lord passed through the garden on his way to 
the cross, we, following his footsteps, must needs 
follow after. But you, dear children, are yet too 
young to understand the bitterness of great sor- 
row, nor would I too darkly shadow your young 
lives. To you it is given, as it was not to us, to 
look beyond the dark garden, the cross and cruci- 
fied Saviour, to the open grave, the risen and 
ascended Lord. 

''After the wonderful prayer which I have 
written out for you in my gospel, in which he 
prayed, 'Keep through thine own name those 
whom thou hast given me. . . . Neither 
pray I for these alone, but for them also which 
shall believe on me through their word, that they 
also may be one in us, that the world may believe 
that thou hast sent me. . , . Father, I will 

215 



2i6 THE STORY OF JESUS 

that they also whom thou hast given me be with 
me where I am. ... I have declared unto 
them thy name, and will declare it, that the love 
wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, 
and I in them.* 

'With these words the voice of Jesus was 
silent, and following him, we left the guest cham- 
ber, going out of the city over the brook Cedron. 
We entered the garden of Gethsemane, which 
name means an oil press, there being a press there 
to crush the oil from the olives, which grew in 
great abundance. There was one incident on 
the way which I will give you. 

"As we sorrowfully followed our Master, he 
looked back upon us and said : 'It is written, "I 
will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep of the 
flock shall be scattered abroad," and after I am 
risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.' 

"Again Peter came up close to his Master, 
and with greater vehemence than at the supper 
table, exclaimed. Though all men should be 
ofifended because of thee, yet will I never be 
offended' ; likewise said we all. Then said Jesus 
again, 'Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny 
me thrice.' 

"As we entered the garden, where we had been 
wont to come at other times, it seemed to me that 
the shadows thrown by the trees were longer 



GETHSEMANE 217 

than I had ever seen before, and they took such 
strange shapes that we looked fearfully one at 
another, and peered into the thicker darkness 
beyond, half unwilling to enter our favorite rest- 
ing-place. Jesus walked calmly before us, look- 
ing neither to the right nor to the left, and 
gathering courage, we followed closely. Soon 
after we entered the garden, he spake to the 
other disciples save only Peter, James, and my- 
self, saying, 'Sit ye here while I go and pray 
yonder.' Gladly the weary men wrapped them- 
selves in their mantles, and lay down on the cool 
grass to rest, while we three went with Jesus into 
the garden. 

*'As we walked, Jesus going more slowly and 
heavily than before, said, 'My soul is exceeding 
sorrowful, even unto death; tarry ye here and 
watch with me.' As he went a little farther, we 
stood for a few moments, and Peter said, 'Let us 
each keep watch down the dififerent paths, and 
if any come to harm Jesus, we will be ready to 
meet them, and die first, if it need be !' And for 
a time we strained our eyes, looking toward the 
entrance of the garden ; but as we heard no sound 
of approaching feet, only the sighing of the wind 
through the branches of the trees, and the call 
of the owl from an old olive tree near by, we, 
being very weary, sat down, leaning against a 



2i8 THE STORY OF JESUS 

tree. For a time we talked to each other in 
whispers, while we heard but a little distance from 
us, the voice of Jesus in prayer. 

"Jesus had stretched himself upon the ground, 
in his human weakness and bitter sorrow, and we 
heard him say, 'O my Father, if it be possible, let 
this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I 
will, but as thou wilt.' As we listened to the 
voice of Jesus, it seemed to grow fainter and 
fainter, and as the shadows deepened, our eyes 
grew weary, and Jesus coming to us, found us all 
sleeping. We roused at his coming, and Jesus 
spake reproachfully to us, saying to Peter, who 
tried to excuse himself, Teter, what ! could you 
not watch with me one hour?' and continuing, 
for Jesus knew that an hour was near at hand 
when we all would need special strength, 'Watch 
and pray that ye enter not into temptation.' 
Then, in his tender love and consideration for us, 
he added, 'The spirit indeed is willing, but the 
flesh is weak.' 

''He went away again a second and yet a third 
time, saying the same words. On his return to 
us the third time, he found us as before, sleeping. 
Rising from the ground at his approach, dizzy 
and oppressed by the suddenness of the waking, 
for by this time I had sunk into heavy slumber, 
I stumbled, and would have fallen, when Jesus 



GETHSEMANE 219 

gently threw his arms about me, as he said sor- 
rowfully, yet tenderly, 'Sleep on now and take 
your rest.' 

'Teter said unto Jesus, 'Master, wilt thou 
not that we spread our mantles for thee, for the 
night has grown chill, that thou also shalt take 
rest?' 

"For a moment Jesus took no heed of his 
words, but stood as if listening to sounds that 
came only to his ear; and as I also asked of 
him the same thing, he turned to us, and said, 
'Behold the hour is at hand and the Son of Man 
is betrayed into the hands of sinners.' As he 
spake these words, all desire for sleep left us, 
and we gathered closely around our Master, for 
we loved him. 

"He drew us one by one to his bosom, and 
kissing us each on the forehead, lifted his eyes 
to heaven as if in prayer. Peter clung to Jesus, 
as if even then there was a fear in his heart lest 
his boasted courage should fail him, and Jesus 
drew him yet more closely to his bosom, while 
I wept aloud, and James groaned as if his spirit 
was troubled beyond the power of words. Sit- 
ting down upon the ground, our Master com- 
forted us as only he was able. 

"It has seemed strange to me as I have 
thought the scene over and over again since that 



220 THE STORY OF JESUS 

bitter-sweet hour, that after such love as was 
shown to us, we could, but a few moments later, 
forsake him and flee. Truly we had need to 
watch and pray, instead of taking rest in sleep, 
that night in the garden. 

"As we sat there in the darkness of the night, 
trembling more because we knew not in what 
shape the evil of which Jesus spake was to come 
upon us than with physical fear of the evil itself, 
Jesus again seemed to hear something beyond 
our ears. Rising from the ground, he stretched 
out his arms towards us, and lifting Peter, who 
seemed most weary of us all, from the ground, 
said, 'Rise, let us be going; behold he is at hand 
that doth betray me.' 

"As he spake these words, we too heard the 
sound of approaching feet. First came Judas, 
and with him a great multitude with swords and 
staves, from the chief priests and elders of the 
people. 

"Judas, knowing well our favorite retreat un- 
der the shadow of the two olive trees that grew 
so near together that their branches inter- 
mingled, came up to Jesus, and kissing him, said, 
•'Hail, Master !' Jesus answered, 'Friend, where- 
fore art thou come?' And as Judas, abashed at 
his words, stepped back, Jesus stepped forth from 
the shadow of the trees, and as the moon, which 



GETHSEMANE 221 

had before been under a dark cloud, came out for 
a moment, it lighted up the place where he stood. 

"The kiss given by Judas was the sign agreed 
upon between Judas and the people, for Judas 
had said, 'Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is 
he ; hold him fast.' 

"As Jesus stepped forth, the crowd came, and 
the disciples who had been left near the entrance 
of the garden were also near at hand, watching to 
see what would be the outcome of this tumult, 
yet believing that, as at ot;her times, Jesus would 
escape out of the hands of his enemies. We who 
had been closer to Jesus during this bitter hour, 
knowing better than they, stood almost paralyzed 
with our terror for his sake, more than fear for 
ourselves. Peter, having with him a sword, said, 
'Lord, shall we smite with a sword?' Jesus did 
not reply, but stepping still further into the light, 
stood before them in the majesty of his unarmed 
presence, and said, 'Whom seek ye?' They an- 
swered him, 'Jesus of Nazareth.' With kingly 
dignity and in the beauty of his GodHkeness, he 
stepped still nearer the retreating multitude, as 
he said, 'I am he.' At the words, and the sight of 
the Godlike form before them, they not only fell 
back, but many of them fell upon their faces, 
while others tramped upon those who had fallen, 
in their anxiety to escape from the one upon 



222 THE STORY OF JESUS 

whose face shone a glory in whose radiance the 
torches were but faint, and before whose holiness 
their souls were revealed to them in all their fear- 
ful guilt and ingratitude. Many of the multitude 
were but soldiers who obeyed the command of 
their captain, but among the crowd were some of 
the rulers, who, in their cowardice, stood in the 
background. 

"As they still remained too terror-stricken to 
come forward, Jesus said again, 'I have told you 
I am he.' Then turning to us, his disciples, he 
said, in his tender love for us, even in this bitter 
hour, 'If therefore ye seek me, let these go their 
way.' 

''Rallying from their terror, as Jesus stood 
silently before them, making no attempt to 
escape, the soldiers took courage, urged on by 
the Jews behind them, and they pressed forward 
to take Jesus. As they did so, Peter drew his 
sword, and smote the High Priest's servant, 
whose name was Malchus, and cut off his right 
ear. 

"Jesus turned to Peter and said, 'Put up thy 
sword into its sheath. Thinkest thou that I can- 
not now pray to my Father, and he shall presently 
give me more than twelve legions of angels? 
The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I 
not drink it?' And turning to the man whose 



GETHSEMANE 223 

ear had been cut off, he said, 'Suffer ye so far,' 
and he touched his ear and healed him. 

"The crowd, becoming bolder as they found 
that Jesus made no resistance, and there being 
no appearance of the angels of whom Jesus spake 
unto Peter, proceded to take him. Then the 
disciples themselves, finding that it was Jesus' 
will to go with the soldiers, as he had before said, 
'No man taketh me by force,' forsook him and 
fled, even the protesting Peter and I who had so 
loved him. So Jesus, with his hands tied behind 
his back, guarded by Roman soldiers and sur- 
rounded by Jewish servants, passed once more 
over the brook Cedron, and was brought first to 
the palace of Annas." 

"What time was this, grandfather; was the 
night passed?" asks Andrew. 

'Tt was about the first hour of the new day, 
Friday, and still dark — a time when the people 
of the city would largely be asleep, and only 
those who were engaged in the conspiracy to put 
Jesus to death would be likely to even know of 
his arrest and conduct to Annas, who was still 
called High Priest, although the real office de- 
volved upon his son-in-law Caiaphas, to whom he 
was soon sent. 

"Although we all forsook Jesus in the garden, 
both Peter and myself followed him at a distance. 



224 THE STORY OF JESUS 

and as I was known unto a member of the house- 
hold of Caiaphas, I went in with Jesus into the 
palace, while Peter stood at the door without. 
Soon after, I spoke to the damsel that kept the 
door, and she brought in Peter. As she brought 
him in, she said unto him, ^Art not thou also one 
of this man's disciples?' and Peter said, *I am 
not.' 

''It was cold, and the servants and officers 
stood by the fire of coals and warmed themselves, 
and to them Peter joined himself. As he stood 
with them, they also said to him, 'Art thou not 
also one of his disciples?' and again he denied 
it, saying, 'I am not.' 

"A little later, a kinsman of the servant whose 
ear Peter cut ofif, said, 'Did I not see thee in the 
garden?' And as Peter denied the third time 
that he was the disciple of Jesus, the cock crew, 
and Peter remembered the words of Jesus, which 
he said unto him, 'Before the cock crow, thou 
shalt deny me thrice,' and he went out, and wept 
bitterly.'* 



CHAPTER XXIV 

CONDEMNED 

"As I before said, I was known unto the High 
Priest, and went with Jesus into his palace, and 
am therefore able of my own self to testify of the 
High Priest's words. 

"The High Priest asked Jesus of his disciples 
and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, 'I spake 
openly to the world ; I ever taught in the syna- 
gogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews 
always resort ; and in secret have I said nothing. 
Why askest thou me? Ask them v/hich heard 
me, what I have said unto them: behold, they 
know what I said.' 

"And when he had thus spoken, one of the 
officers which stood by struck Jesus with the 
palm of his hand, saying, 'Answerest thou the 
High Priest so?' 

"Jesus answered him, 'If I have spoken evil, 
bear witness of the evil : but if well why smitest 
thou me?' 

"Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caia- 
phas, the High Priest. Then led they Jesus from 
Caiaphas, unto the hall of judgment. 
225 



226 THE STORY OF JESUS 

''Just as day began to dawn in the east, such 
of the council as were known to be favorable to 
the condemnation and death of Jesus, were has- 
tily summoned to the palace of Caiaphas. No 
doubt these priests and Sanhedrists knew that the 
attempt was to be made that night to take Jesus, 
and thus were ready for the messengers which 
brought them the summons of the High Priests. 
It was not a lawful meeting of the Sanhedrin; 
they could only bring accusations against him; 
and when at six o'clock in the morning, Jesus 
was taken to the prsetorium, there had been no 
sentence of death, as they said to Pilate, 'It is not 
lawful for us to put any man to death.' " 

The children during this long talk had re- 
frained from their usual questions, as Grand- 
father John seemed to be desirous to tell his 
story w^ith few interruptions; but at this point 
he seemed weary, and pausing, James took this 
time to ask for some explanations of the San- 
hedrin. After a few moments' rest. Grandfather 
John said : 

"When you are older, you will be better able 
to understand and be interested in the office of 
this judicial body of seventy members, composed 
of chief priests and Scribes, with the High Priest 
at its head. The criminal chamber where they 
usually sat, was on Temple Hill, and not only was 



CONDEMNED 227 

the palace of Caiaphas not their rightful place of 
meeting, but the trial was a mock one in every- 
way. 

"Much as both the Pharisees and Sadducees 
desired to find cause whereby they might, with 
at least a show of reason, condemn Jesus, they 
were so much at variance with each other, that 
they could not agree upon any one point, until, 
failing in all, they 'sought false witnesses' against 
Jesus, to put him to death, and even then these 
witnesses so contradicted each other that even 
these false judges could not convict Jesus. 

''At the last came two false witnesses, who 
said, 'This fellow said, "I am able to destroy the 
temple of God, and to build it in three days." * 
But even with these witnessing against Jesus, 
his accusers could prove nothing. 

"In the majesty of absolute silence, Jesus 
stood before them. Roused into the heat of 
anger, and fearful lest even yet Jesus should 
escape out of his hand, Caiaphas arose from his 
judgment seat, and stepping forward, in the 
malignity of his hatred, strove to make Jesus 
condemn himself, saying, 'I adjure thee by the 
living God that thou tell us whether thou be the 
Christ the Son of God.' 

"At these words, Jesus answered, 'Thou hast 
said.' And as Caiaphas looked with triumph 



228 THE STORY OF JESUS 

around upon his council, Jesus continued, in 
words which caused even Caiaphas to tremble, 
while his face grew pale. 

" 'Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sit- 
ting on the right hand of power and coming in 
the clouds of heaven/ 

"For a moment there was an awful silence; 
then the High Priest rent his clothes, saying, 'He 
hath spoken blasphemy ; what further need have 
we of witnesses? Behold, now ye have heard 
his blasphemy. What think ye?' They an- 
swered and said, 'He is guilty of death.' 

"Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted 
him ; and others smote him with the palms of their 
hands, saying, 'Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, 
who is he that smote thee?' 

"It was early, six o'clock in the morning, that 
Caiaphas, at the head of the Sanhedrists and 
priests, led Jesus, with a cord around his neck, to 
the judgment hall of Pilate. With him were 
some of his accusers, but the chief priests and 
Scribes, unwilling to enter the court of a Gentile, 
lest they become unclean and unfit for the Pass- 
over feast, refused to do so; and Pilate, much 
against his will, was obliged to come out to them. 

"As he stood before them, angry that they 
would not come to him, and despising them be- 
cause they were Jews, disgusted that he, a Roman 



CONDEMNED 229 

governor, should yet be unable to control them 
at his own will, he was not in a favorable mood 
to easily be won to assent to their demands. 

''Looking around the tumultuous crowd, 
whose faces expressed their malignant and mur- 
derous passions, he surprised and confounded 
them by asking, 'What accusation bring ye 
against this man?' For this question they were 
unprepared. It was not their intention that 
Pilate should look into their case, but they hoped 
for permission to put Jesus to death, and that not 
according to Jewish law, which was more merci- 
ful for condemned criminals, but by that of the 
Romans. 

"They also knew that before Caiaphas they 
had been unable to prove anything against him, 
and they saw that Pilate was in no friendly mood 
to them.. After a moment's silence, one of the 
chief priests answered, 'If he were not a male- 
factor, we would not have delivered him up unto 
thee.' 

"As they said this, Pilate, understanding that 
Jesus was only delivered up for envy or for some 
fanatical reason, said, 'Take ye him, and judge 
him according to your law.' 

"At these words, the Jews spake out plainly. 
'It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.' 
Then that they might give some reason to which 



230 THE STORY OF JESUS 

Pilate as Roman governor would give heed, they 
said, *We found this fellow perverting the nation, 
and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying 
he himself was a king.' 

^'Leaving the noisy multitude, Pilate returned 
to the judgment hall, seating himself on his 
judgment seat ; and Jesus, led by the soldiers who 
had him in charge, was brought before him. 

"My children, it is impossible for me to de- 
scribe in words this scene. The haughty Pilate, 
in his royal robes; Jesus in his torn and dusty 
garments, with a face whereon was written in 
deeply cut lines, the sorrow of Gethsemane, the 
bitterness of the desertion of his followers, and 
the injustice of his accusers, clothed, as it were, 
with the weakness of the nature of the Son of 
Man, yet in the majesty of the Son of God, he 
stood before Pilate, and recognizing his right as 
Governor of the province, as before, the authority 
of Caiaphas as High Priest, replied to his ques- 
tions. 

*'As Pilate looked upon Jesus, there was some- 
thing in the worn, weary, friendless condition of 
the accused, that touched the heart of the Gover- 
nor, as well as in his appearance, a refutation of 
the accusation that he claimed to be king; and 
in a half pitying, half contemptuous tone, he 
asked, 'Art thou King of the Jews?' 



CONDEMNED 231 

"Jesus replied, 'Sayest thou this thing of thy- 
self, or did others tell it thee of me?' 

"With the contempt of a Roman for the Jew, 
he replied, 'Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and 
the chief priests, have delivered thee unto me. 
What hast thou done?' 

"Jesus, wilHng even in this hour, to answer 
the inquiries of one who wished to know of his 
kingdom, replied, 'My kingdom is not of this 
world; if my kingdom were of this world, then 
would my servants nght.' 

"Pilate, as if he would learn further, asked, 
'Art thou a king then?' 

"At this question Jesus raised his head, and 
standing bound as he was before Pilate, he yet 
bore a kingly look, which seemed to have its 
effect, even as much as his words upon Pilate, 
as he replied, 'Thou sayest I am king ; for this end 
was I born, and for this cause came I into the 
world, that I should bear witness of the truth. 
Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.' 

"As Jesus ceased speaking, Pilate seemed to 
muse for a moment; then rising to his feet, in a 
questioning yet respectful tone of voice, said, 
'What is truth?' Not waiting for a reply, he 
returned to the Jews and saith unto them, 'I find 
in him no fault at all.' 

"At these words from Pilate, the Jews be- 



232 THE STORY OF JESUS 

came furious with disappointment and wrath, and 
they cried out, saying, 'He stirreth up the people, 
teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning at 
Galilee.' When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked 
if Jesus was a Galilean, and hearing that he was, 
he sent him to Herod. 

''Again through the streets of the city, accom- 
panied by a shouting, jeering multitude, Jesus 
was dragged to the palace of Herod. Before 
Herod, he remained silent, nor would he speak a 
word, though the chief priests and Scribes 
vehemently accused him; yet he answered him 
nothing. Then was Herod wroth, and he arrayed 
him in a royal robe in mockery, and sent him 
back to Pilate. 

"Again were the enemies of Jesus gathered 
outside the prsetorium, while to those who had 
been together from the beginning, were added 
many others who came not only to see what was 
to become of Jesus, but also to ask for the re- 
lease, according to custom, of a prisoner. 

"Pilate, wishing to release Jesus, saw in this 
way, his opportunity, and therefore said, 'Whom 
will ye that I release unto you?' And the people, 
already prepared by the Sanhedrists for the ques- 
tion, replied, 'Barabbas.' Now Barabbas was a 
robber, and as Pilate still reasoned with them, 
saying that neither could Herod nor himself find 



CONDEMNED 233 

cause for the death of Jesus, they only clamored 
the more for the release of Barabbas. 

"While Pilate yet strove to save Jesus, there 
came unto him a messenger from^ his wife, saying, 
'Have t-hou nothing to do with this just man, for 
I have suffered many things this day in a dream, 
because of him.' 

"This dream could not fail to have its effect 
upon Pilate, and he strove so much the more to 
bring the Jews to consent to the release of Jesus, 
but they cried again for Barabbas. 

"Then said Pilate, 'What shall I do then with 
Jesus which is called Christ?' and they cried out, 
'Crucify him ! Crucify him !' 

"Every expedient having failed to bring the 
frenzied people to consent to the release of Jesus, 
Pilate, remembering a Jewish custom, washed his 
hands before the multitude, saying, 'I am inno- 
cent of the blood of this just person ; see ye to it.' 

"To this came the fearful answer, 'His blood 
be on us and on our children !' 

And Grandfather John, unable to proceed fur- 
ther, broke into a passion of weeping, refusing 
to be comforted. "Oh, my people, my people, 
would to God thy rulers had not called down the 
judgment of thy God upon thee!" For a time 
he weeps with uncontrollable grief, and it is 
James who at last finds comfort for him, as he 



234 THE STORY OF JESUS 

reminds him of the forgiving words of the Lord 
Jesus on the cross, when he prayed, "Father, 
forgive them, for they know not what they do." 

So vividly in the telling have the scenes of that 
night and early morning passed before the eyes 
of Grandfather John, that he finds himself unable 
to bear the strain longer, and returns to his room 
for a long rest. 

When he comes forth, his face, although still 
bearing the marks of bitter sorrow, has a look 
of peace, and he retakes his seat to conclude the 
incidents of the unjust and unlawful trial and the 
condemnation of his beloved Master. 

Judith says to her brother James, "See grand- 
father's face. I think he has been with Jesus." 

"And I," says James, "think that the Com- 
forter, whom Jesus promised to send to his dis- 
ciples, has been present with grandfather in the 
inner room." 

"And I," says Doris, "think he, Hke Jesus, 
left us, and went apart to pray unto our Father. 
Don't you remember the beautiful verse Mother 
Ruth loves so well, 'As one whom his mother 
comforteth, so will I comfort you'? Mother says 
that our Father who art in heaven is both father 
and mother to his children, and I think Grand- 
father John is beloved of the Father as well as 
of the Son, the Lord Jesus." 



CONDEMNED 235 

This talk of the children, being in a low tone 
and a little aside, has passed unnoticed by Grand- 
father John, and as he in a feeble voice takes up 
again the account of the trial before Pilate, he 
says: 

*'My children, it is well that I can conclude 
this history of the trial briefly, for not only do I 
feel that my strength is unequal to its longer 
continuance, but the story is so sorrowful that 
I long for your sakes to pass beyond the bitter- 
ness and the darkness of the trial and crucifixion, 
to the blessedness of the resurrection. 

"Pilate made yet one more effort, and a cruel 
one, to bring about the release of Jesus. He de- 
livered him into the hands of the soldiers to be 
scourged, in hopes that this might satisfy his 
enemies. These soldiers stripped Jesus, and put 
on him a purple robe, platted a crown of thorns 
and put it on his head, and, placing in his right 
hand a reed, bowed the knee before him, saying, 
'Hail, King of the Jews !' and they spit upon him, 
and took the reed and smote him on his head. 

''Once again Pilate appeared before the peo- 
ple, saying, 'Behold, I bring him forth to you 
that ye may know that I find no fault in him,' and 
as he thus spake, Jesus came forth wearing a 
crown of thorns and the purple robe, and Pilate 
said, 'Behold the man.' 



236 THE STORY OF JESUS 

''But they only cried the louder, 'Crucify him ! 
Crucify him !' 

"Then Pilate said, Take ye him and crucify 
him, for I find in him no fault at all !' 

"At this one of the rulers answered, 'By our 
law he ought to die, because he made himself the 
Son of God.' 

"Once more Pilate returned to the judgment 
hall and asked Jesus, 'Whence art thou ?' And as 
Jesus gave no answer, he said, 'Speakest thou not 
unto me; knowest thou not I have power to 
crucify thee and have power to release thee?' 

"With a majesty beyond words to describe, 
Jesus replied, 'Thou couldst have no power at all 
against me, except it were given thee from 
above,' then added, 'He that delivered me unto 
thee hath the greater sin.' 

"Even once again Pilate sought to release 
Jesus, but the people cried out that if he did so 
he would show himself as no friend to Caesar. 
At last the enemies of Jesus had found a way to 
reach the weakest point in Pilate's cowardly na- 
ture. He feared lest the people should speak 
against him to Caesar. 

"He returned to his judgment seat, and it was 
about the sixth hour, and he said to the Jews, 
'Behold your King !' and they cried, 'Away with 
him, away with him, crucify him !' 



CONDEMNED 237 

"Making no further effort to save Jesus, Pilate 
delivered him unto them to be crucified, and they 
took Jesus and led him av/ay." 

After a few moments of silence, James rouses 
grandfather from his almost stupor, to ask a 
question which had been on his mind to ask for 
some time, but, unwilling to interrupt, he had 
waited until now. 

"Grandfather John, could Pilate, by the sim- 
ple washing of his hands, make himself guiltless 
of the death of Jesus?" 

"By no means, my son ; he condemned himself 
in his own words, when he said to Jesus, 'I have 
power to crucify thee, and have power to release 
thee.' No washing of hands in water could free 
him from the blood of one of whom he had de- 
clared in the most positive words, again and 
again, that he had no fault at all. An op- 
portunity was given him to show mercy, and 
that, according to his own words, by a mere act 
of justice; but he lost the opportunity by his 
cowardice, and all generations execrate his mem- 
ory. 

"There is one other person whose memory 
is, to all followers of Jesus, even more abhorrent 
than that of Pilate. I mean Judas Iscariot, who 
betrayed Jesus. I like not to speak of this man, 
who was even one of Jesus' loved apostles, but I 



238 THE STORY OF JESUS 

must needs do so this once, and tell you of his 
dreadful end. When Judas saw that Jesus was 
condemned, he brought again the thirty pieces 
of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, 
'I have betrayed innocent blood!' And when 
they said, 'What is that to us? See thou to it !' he 
cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and 
went out and hanged himself." 

As Grandfather John said these words, he 
shook as if with sudden chill, and as he sank half 
fainting from his seat, James and Alex tenderly 
supported him, while the girls ran for Mother 
Ruth and Father Joseph. The latter was near 
at hand in the vineyard, and with his assistance, 
grandfather, who was partly restored by the use 
of aromatic spices which Mother Ruth brought, 
was tenderly helped to his room, where we will 
leave him for the night. 



CHAPTER XXV 

CRUCIFIED 

"As the frenzied mob of Roman soldiers, serv- 
ants of Annas and Caiaphas, Sanhedrists, Phari- 
sees, and Scribes, led Jesus away to be crucified, 
an order was given to one of the soldiers to pre- 
pare a cross. Anxious to have the execution 
over, that they might be able to attend to the 
feast of the Passover, and also fearing that even 
yet Jesus would escape out of their hands, the 
rulers hastened the preparations. 

, "A rude cross of sycamore wood was provided 
and laid upon Jesus' shoulders. Pilate, wishing 
to impress the many Jews who were in Jerusalem 
for the feast with his power, and to terrify the 
robber hordes who dwelt among the fastnesses 
of the rocks around Jericho, sent two thieves to 
be crucified with Jesus. He probably also had in 
mind to make even more ignominious the death 
of the 'King of the Jews,' for such, from the time 
when the rulers of the people refused to accept 
the release of Barabbas in place of Jesus, Pilate 
determined the execution should seem to be in 
239 



240 THE STORY OF JESUS 

the eyes of all who beheld the cross. For this 
purpose he had written a title in Hebrew, Greek, 
and Latin, 

7ESUS OF NAZARETH, KING OF THE 
JEWS/ 

"When the rulers heard of this writing, they 
sent a deputation to Pilate, saying, 'Write not 
the King of the Jews, but that he said, I am 
King of the Jews.' But the haughty Pilate, in- 
censed that he had been led to condemn Jesus 
against his will, said, 'What I have written I have 
written.' 

"Bearing his cross, and followed by his ene- 
mies, to whom were added great numbers of 
people, Jesus trod with tottering feet his way 
through the city. There also followed as close 
to him as possible, a company of women, among 
whom was his mother Mary, Mary of Magdala, 
Mary, the wife of Cleophas, and my mother, Sa- 
lome. I was with the women, supporting on my 
arm the almost fainting mother of Jesus, and as 
we reached the city gate, we saw Jesus sink be- 
neath his burden ; and a soldier, much against his 
will (for to even bear the cross of one condemned 
was considered a shame), lifted, at the command 
of the captain, the heavy cross from the pros- 
trate form of Jesus, and meeting Simon of Gyrene 



CRUCIFIED ^ 241 

coming from the country into the city, 'him they 
compelled to bear the cross/ 

^'Relieved of the cross, again Jesus went his 
way out of the city, followed by the multitude, 
some of whom he had in days past healed of 
grievous diseases; and, led by the soldiery, 
climbed the hill of Calvary, where he was to be 
crucified. 

"There is one incident on the way which I will 
relate to you. As Jesus sank beneath his cross 
at the city gate, the women, of whom there were 
many following, broke into bitter weeping and 
wailing. Turning to them as he was rudely 
raised to his feet by the brutal soldiery, he said, 
'Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but 
weep for yourselves and for your children.' 

"But a few days before, amid the shouting of 
hosannas of men, women, and children, Jesus 
had paused at sight of the city, and wept over 
it. Now the women were weeping at the sight 
of Jesus on the way to the cross ; yet many only 
wept in womanly pity, and when their tears were 
dry, were no more disciples of the Lord Jesus 
than they had been before. 

"When they reached the place of the cruci- 
fixion, the cross was taken from the Cyrenian, as 
were the others from the malefactors, who bore 



242 THE STORY OF JESUS 

each his own, and the three were nailed upon 
their crosses. 

"There was one merciful provision allowed by 
Romans to those who suffered crucifixion. Be- 
fore they were nailed upon the cross, they were 
given a mixture to drink, whose effect was to 
dull somewhat the terrible pain of the pierced 
hands and feet. Jesus, that he might suffer to 
the uttermost, refused the drink, which was pro- 
vided by tender-hearted women for even the 
greatest malefactors. 

''As the cross bearing the transfixed Jesus was 
lifted to its place between the two thieves, Jesus 
spake those divine words of forgiveness, 'Father, 
forgive them, for they know not what they do.' 

"A quaternion of soldiers, with their centu- 
rion, had been furnished by Pilate to guard the 
cross, for the chief priests and rulers yet feared 
a rescue, and to these soldiers belonged, by Ro- 
man custom, the clothing of the condemned. 
This they now divided, the tallith, or outer gar- 
ment, by ripping it down the four seams, while 
for the cetoneth, or under garment, which was 
woven whole, they cast lots, unwittingly fulfill- 
ing the Scripture, 'They parted my garment 
among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.' 

"The soldiers and those that testified against 
him at the trial, reviled him, saying. Thou that 



CRUCIFIED 243 

destroyest the temple and buildest it in three 
days, save thyself,' while others said, 'If thou be 
the Son of God, come down from the cross/ 

"Among the people were some of the chief 
priests and elders, who likewise mocked him, say- 
ing, 'He saved others, let him save himself, if he 
be the Christ, the chosen of God/ Yet amid all 
this reviling, mockery and confusion of jeering 
voices, Jesus remained silent. 

"My children, in hours of bitter sorrow, few 
words best express that sorrow, and I have 
chosen to tell you in few words the story of Jesus' 
trial and crucifixion. In anguish of soul unut- 
terable, there stood near to the cross, Mary the 
mother of Jesus, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and 
Mary Magdalene. The other Marys, even in 
their own sorrow, tried to help the mother bear 
her greater grief; for was not this her son who 
had lain upon her bosom as a baby, dwelt with 
her in the home at Nazareth, and who had ever 
been most thoughtful and loving, even in his 
years of ministry? 

'T, too, strove to forget my grief in loving 
watchfulness over the agonized mother; yet with 
my eyes turning again and again to the cross, 
hoping for one more look, or, if might be, one 
more word from my Lord and Master. My 
watchfulness was not in vain, for Jesus, even in 



244 THE STORY OF JESUS 

his hour of extreme agony, saw his mother, and 
even me, his disciple, and to my great joy, said to 
his mother, 'Woman, behold thy son,' and to me, 
'Behold thy mother.' And the mother, unable 
to bear longer the fulfillment of the prophecy, 
'Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul 
also,' assisted by my mother, Salome, and myself, 
was borne to my own home, where, as you know, 
she abode until her death." 

Grandfather John pauses. While telling the 
sad story, his voice has often faltered and his eyes 
have been wet, but by a great effort he has over- 
come his emotion, that the story might come to 
the ears of the children without more of pain than 
was necessary. Now he sees that Doris and 
Judith are weeping; little Miriam's face is sad; 
James and Alex have turned their heads away, 
while Andrew's face is hidden in his hands. 

"My beloved ones," the old man says, gently, 
"I marvel not that you are saddened by this story, 
but remember that there is joy to come even from 
this grievous pain." 

"Grandfather," asks James, "at what time was 
it that you took Aunt Mary home? Had the 
darkness come then?" 

"It was just about noon, and then the sun 
seemed as if stricken from the heavens, and all 



CRUCIFIED 245 

the land grew dark, and the veil of the temple was 
rent in twain." 

"How fearful," says Alex, "it must have 
seemed to those who felt the guilt of condemning 
an innocent man !" 

"Fearful, indeed, my son. But only as a 
dream comes to me the memory of that darkness 
and of the confusion that followed, the voices of 
frightened men, the praying of women, and the 
sobbing of terrified children, who even in their 
innocence must suffer for the sins of their fathers. 
Only as a dream it comes to me, I say, for my 
heart was too sore with the pain of my great grief 
to admit the terror natural to such a scene. 

"Hastening through the darkness as best I 
could, after leaving Aunt Mary, or Mother Mary, 
as she ever after was to me, in my home with 
Mother Salome, I returned to the place of cru- 
cifixion. Reaching it, and beholding once more 
the suffering face of my Lord, I, in my anguish 
of spirit, having now no one needing my care, 
threw myself face down upon the ground at the 
foot of the cross, and there lay I know not how 
long. 

"At last I heard his voice, and oh! how its 
bitter pain pierced my very soul, as he cried out 
of his human weakness, 'My God, my God, why 



246 THE STORY OF JESUS 

hast Thou forsaken me?' and a little after in a 
low tone, he said, 'I thirst.' 

"Springing to my feet to see if I might not 
relieve him, I perceived that one who stood near 
had already filled a sponge with vinegar, and 
putting it upon a hyssop, was holding it to his 
lips, and when he had drank, he bowed his head 
and said, 'It is finished.' Then I knew that the 
end was near. Once more he spoke, lifting again 
his head, and I just caught the words, 'Father, 
into thy hands I commend my spirit,' and then 
my eyes were fixed upon the lifeless face of my 
beloved." 

There is a long silence. The children hold 
each other's hands, weeping, while great tears 
roll down the old man's furrowed cheeks. At 
last he continues : 

"I knew little at the time of what followed. 
The darkness rolled away, and showed us the 
sun already nearing the western horizon, but I 
noted it not. Over my soul there had come a 
greater darkness than I had ever dreamed of. 
For now I realized that through all I had had 
some faint hope that in some way my Lord would 
still be saved. He had done so many wonderful 
things, might he not do even this, and come 
down from the cross? Now all hope was gone, 
and despair possessed my soul. Not even the 



CRUCIFIED 247 

memory of the risen Lazarus gave me any faintest 
glimpse of the truth that my Lord was Lord even 
of death. 

''So, utterly cast down, I lay at the foot of the 
cross, nor was I aroused until the soldiers came to 
break the legs of the crucified, and so hasten 
death, as it was near the Sabbath. Then still 
seemingly stunned with grief, I sat there, won- 
dering why they left the body of my Lord upon 
the cross, while the others were removed, know- 
ing not that Joseph of Arimathea, a man whom 
they dared not slight, had gone to ask of Pilate 
leave to care for the body as he chose. 

''Joseph was a true disciple of Jesus, but he 
was a timid man, and took no active part in his 
favor. And now, perhaps feeling regret that he 
had made no efifort to save the living Lord, and 
his grief giving him courage, he went boldly to 
Pilate and obtained permission to remove and 
bury the body of Jesus. 

"Tenderly we took it from the cross, wrapped 
it as well as we could, amid the gathering dark- 
ness and in the haste made necessary by the 
approaching Sabbath, in fine Hnen cloths, and 
laid it away in Joseph's own new tomb, hewn 
out of the solid rock. The tomb was in a garden 
close by Calvary, and as w^e laid the body in it, 
the women who had followed us, stood around 



248 THE STORY OF JESUS 

about weeping, and then away to find what com- 
fort they could in preparing sweet spices with 
which on the first day of the week they would 
anoint the body of the Master. 

^'And having rolled a heavy stone before the 
door of the sepulcher, we, too, left the spot where 
we supposed we had looked our last upon the face 
of him we loved. 

"The sad story is over, my children," and 
grandfather gathers them in his arms. ''Dry 
your tears, and as you think of what we have seen 
to-day, remember that brightness comes from 
the darkest clouds, that the agony of Gethsemane 
and the bitterness of Calvary will fade away when 
seen in the light of the resurrection morn." 




THE OPEN GRAVE ON RESURRECTION MORN 



CHAPTER XXVI 

"l HAVE SEEN THE LORD" 

''My dear children, I have long looked for- 
ward to this morning that I might tell you the 
story of the resurrection, which is as bright and 
beautiful as yesterday's story was dark and sor- 
rowful. Yesterday we wept over our crucified 
Master; to-day we can rejoice in a living Saviour. 

''For ages the nations of earth had sat in dark- 
ness, which was the shadow of death. Upon all 
joy this shadow fell. The mother looked through 
it upon the face of the baby at her breast; the 
maiden felt its coldness as she gazed into her 
lover's eyes ; the man saw its darkness in the face 
of his friend. But 'upon us hath a light shined.' 
'Even the Gentiles have come to thy light and 
kings to the brightness of thy rising.' " 

Grandfather John pauses, and the children, 
only partially understanding his words, but awed 
by the shining of his face, sit silent, their eyes 
fixed upon him. Presently his eyes seek theirs, 
as he continues : 

"You are young, my dears, and cannot know 
249 



250 THE STORY OF JESUS 

how to me the burden of my years would seem 
intolerable but for the knowledge of a future 
in which there is no such things as weakness and 
weariness, a future of which only a risen Lord 
could make me sure. You, my Judith," and the 
old man puts his left arm tenderly around the 
girl, ''and you, Andrew and James," and his right 
hand rests upon the head of each in turn, ''have 
had a glimpse of the darkness of the shadow, 
when you saw the form of your own dear mother 
lying cold and still in death ; so to you will, per- 
haps, come an added share in the joy of the light 
which this day's story brings us. And it is my 
prayer for you all, Doris, Alex, and little Miriam 
as well, that when you in turn come to see and 
know the sadness of the shadow, as you must feel 
and know it, you, looking back to this day, may 
see with open eyes and understanding hearts the 
light and joy of the resurrection. 

"Now, too, you may see something of the pur- 
pose of our sad story of yesterday. Had we not 
suffered with our Lord on Calvary, we could 
never have rejoiced with him at the open grave. 
Had he not gone down into the tomb, he could 
never have been our risen Lord. From its three 
days' darkness, he comes forth to give us light 
through eternal ages. 

"I told you at the close of our last story, how 



"I HAVE SEEN THE LORD" 251 

the body of our Master was taken from the cruel 
cross, and laid away in the sepulcher, and of the 
heavy stone which was rolled up to the door. I 
would not, if I could, tell you of the heavier bur- 
den that rested upon our hearts who loved him. 
Such bitterness of sorrow you can never know. 
All nature seemed in sympathy with us, for the 
skies were overhung with dense clouds. There 
was no sun by day, no moon, no stars at night. 
The air was dull and heavy. No bird notes 
sounded. Occasionally the rain fell, as did our 
tears. By no means least in our sad thoughts, 
was the despair we could not help but feel for the 
church our beloved Lord had founded. We 
were so few in numbers, so poor, so weak, so 
hopeless. Scorned by the wise, hated by the 
powerful, left alone by our crucified leader, 
blamed by our own consciences, in that we had 
forsaken him we loved and fled at the time of his 
greatest need, it seemed indeed that we must 
go down in hopeless ignominy and death. Little 
did we dream, even after all we had seen and 
known, of the power of Him who saw the end 
from the beginning. 

''Only one bright spot in all this sad time, and 
that was Aunt Mary's face. As I told you, I 
took her to our home, and whenever I looked 
upon her, somehow, I knew not how or why, my 



252 THE STORY OF JESUS 

heart seemed lightened of its burden. It was 
not that she did not mourn for her son. She 
spake Httle and she wept much, but even through 
her tears, there was on her face an expression of 
such ineffable sweetness, such holy love as I have 
never beheld, and in her beautiful eyes there was 
a look as if she were waiting, yes, and with sure 
and certain hope, for some great joy. 

"I knew not then, I do not think she knew, 
what she hoped for, but I believe now^ that in 
the depths of her wonderful love — he was her 
Master, and she was his mother — there was that 
which overpowered sight and reason, and taught 
her that love is stronger than death. 

"The women who loved Jesus wished to com- 
plete the anointing of the body, which task had 
been interrupted by the dawning of the Sabbath. 
So eager were they to perform this last tender 
service for him whom they so passionately loved, 
that they were ready and on the way to the gar- 
den long before the first streak of dawn. 

''My mother, Salome, with Mary Magdalene, 
came first. Mary, the mother of James, and 
Joanna were not far away ; and after them came 
other women. As they stumbled on in the dark- 
ness, over the rough path, Mary helped my 
mother with her strong young arm. They spake 
but little. Mary asked once, 'Who will roll us 



"I HAVE SEEN THE LORD" 253 

away the stone from the door of the sepulcher?' 
and though my mother made no reply, they 
hastened on, each hoping in her heart that some 
of the disciples might be there to help them. 
They did not think of asking help of the soldiers, 
for they knew not the guard which had been 
placed before the tomb at the command of Pilate, 
having left the garden before this had occurred, 
in order to spend what was left of daylight in 
preparing the sweet spices, that there might be 
no delay on the first day of the week. 

"My mother has since told me how, as she 
approached the place where the body of our 
Master had lain, a feeling of calm stole over her. 
The gray dawn was breaking in the east, the air 
seemed sweet and refreshing, and a little bird 
awoke from sleep in its nest near by, and twit- 
tered a morning song. She said that little song 
seemed sweeter music than she had ever heard, 
and knowing that it was yet too dark to begin 
their task, and being weary, for she was an old 
woman, she stopped, and Mary went the last few- 
steps alone. Mary herself told me the rest, — 
how as she drew near she saw in the dim light 
that the stone was rolled away. Supposing that 
some of us must be within, and pained that she 
was not the first, she hastened forward, and, 
stooping at the opening, was about to enter. 



254 THE STORY OF JESUS 

when she saw that the sepulcher was empty. 
Not only startled, but fearing that the body had 
been taken by the enemies of Jesus, she did not 
even wait to tell her companions, but, running 
by the nearest way, came to our lodgings, Peter 
and I being near each other. I was nearly ready 
to start out when she reached me and told what 
she had seen, and when Peter joined me, we at 
once started at our utmost speed. I was the 
younger and lighter man of the two, and reached 
the spot first, but as I drew near, a feeHng of awe 
came upon me, and I hesitated to enter. Then 
Peter came, and he, without pausing, went 
directly into the sepulcher, and I followed him. 
Then we saw the linen clothes lying in one place, 
not as though hastily torn from the body, but as 
if taken off and laid away by one done with them ; 
and a little way from them lay the napkin which 
was about his head. When we knew (what we 
had doubted before) that Mary was right, and 
not simply frightened, I can hardly describe our 
feelings. We knew not the truth, but anger and 
sorrow strove in our hearts. Slowly we went 
away again, talking with each other of this added 
grief, but Mary could not bear to leave the spot 
where she had last seen the body of our Lord. 
She stood without alone and wept, and presently 



"I HAVE SEEN THE LORD" 255 

she stooped and looked into the tomb, and at 
first she thought her tears had blinded her, for she 
seemed to see two forms. And when she looked 
the second time, she saw clearly two beautiful 
beings, clad in glistening white, sitting, one at the 
foot and the other at the head, where the body 
of Jesus had lain. And they said unto her, 
'Woman, why weepest thou?' She saith unto 
them, weeping still, 'Because they have taken 
away my Lord, and I know not where they have 
laid him.' And something just then caused her 
to turn back, and she saw the gardener standing 
near, and felt that now perhaps she would learn 
the truth; and he whom she took to be the 
gardener, asked her, 'Woman, why weepest 
thou?' and she said, 'Sir, if thou have borne him 
hence, tell me where thou hast laid him.' Jesus 
saith unto her, 'Mary !' She turned herself and 
saith unto him, 'My Master !' 

"Again and again have I thought, dear chil- 
dren, what it must have meant to this loving 
woman to hear this first word of the risen 
Saviour. Again and again have I dreamed of 
what her thoughts must have been on hearing 
her own name spoken in that well-known voice, 
which she had believed to be stilled forever. 
And in her answer there was surely the complete 



2S6 THE STORY OF JESUS 

surrender of her whole intense and passionate 
soul to him concerning whom all doubt was in 
one heart forever gone. 

"Speechless, Mary would have clung to him 
lest he should again leave her, but he said, 'CUng 
not to me, for I am not yet ascended to my 
Father: but go to my brethren and say unto 
them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, 
and to my God and your God.' 

"Hastening to obey him, Mary sought us out. 
Amazement held me spellbound, as I looked into 
her face. When last I had beheld it in the dim 
light of early dawn, it was pale with grief and fear 
and worn with weeping. Now it was won- 
drously beautiful, with the fullness of immeas- 
urable love and joy unutterable.^ All she could 
say was, 'I have seen the Lord' ; again and again, 
in a transport of joy which seemed to make all 
other speech impossible, and before which no 
doubt could have an instant's power, she repeated 
these words, 'I have seen the Lord.' 

"Ah, my children, what a morning that was ! 
The clouds had vanished from the sky, the sun 
shone as it never shone before, and breathing 
seemed like the drinking of rich perfume. Never 
was sky so blue, never was earth so fair, never did 
the birds sing so sweetly, and when we had re- 
ceived from the other women who had seen 



"I HAVE SEEN THE LORD" 257 

Jesus, the promise that we should see him in 
Gah'lee, our joy and hope knew no bounds. 

''Now at last we knew him as he was ; that in 
him was life, the life that is the light of men. In 
our weakness we had believed; now in his 
strength we knew. And I, I had suffered be- 
cause I loved, now because I loved I rejoiced, 
and for the first time, could say in my heart of 
hearts, 'I have seen the Lord.' 



CHAPTER XXVII 
"peace be with you" 

''My children, there is but Httle left to tell you. 
I feel that my story, and with it, perchance, my 
earthly life, is drawing to a close. And it will be 
but fitting that the last loving task of my life shall 
be the showing to you who are young, and per- 
haps have many years before you, the life of our 
blessed Redeemer, my Lord and Master and 
yours. 

"In the evening of that glad day of which I 
told you yesterday, we were all together in an 
upper room, rejoicing in our risen Saviour, but 
with the doors tightly closed, since great excite- 
ment prevailed among the Jews who had been 
the means of the crucifixion, and we felt that our 
own lives might be in danger. 

"Suddenly, as we were talking together of 
our Lord, we saw him in our midst. There he 
stood, our own Master, and yet different. It 
seemed his tender, well-known face, his majestic 
form, and yet we felt some way something deeper 
than any outward appearance, almost as though 

258 



"PEACE BE WITH YOU" 259 

we recognized the loving heart we knew, rather 
than the face with which we had been famiUar. 

''He stood next to Peter, but his face was 
towards me at the first. He looked at us each in 
turn, and repeated in his w^onderfuUy tender 
tones, the words, 'Peace be with you.' " 

"And did all believe at once, grandfather?" 
asks James. "I should think there might have 
been doubting and questioning. It would be 
hard to believe that one had really risen from the 
dead." 

"I think, my son, if you could have seen him, 
you would have wondered more that any doubted 
than that many believed. But when questions 
came, Jesus showed his wounded hands, at sight 
of which my heart cried out in anguish, and none 
doubted then. And Jesus breathed on us, and 
said, 'Receive ye the Holy Ghost.' " 

"Grandfather" — Judith's voice is low — "I 
wish I could understand better the meaning of 
'Holy Ghost.' " 

"My dear, in God's good time you will under- 
stand it. You understand now how the thought 
of father and mother helps and influences you 
when they are far away. So it is that God's Holy 
Spirit speaks in our hearts, if we will but listen, 
and is our constant help and guide. The three 
are one : God, the Father, who is all in all ; Jesus 



26o THE STORY OF JESUS 

the Son, that is, the earthly manifestation of the 
Father ; and the Holy Spirit, the manifestation in 
our hearts." 

''But, grandfather," says Doris, "that was not 
the only time you saw Jesus?" 

"No, we saw him again the next week, on the 
first day, and several times after during the forty 
days that he remained on earth. I will tell you 
of one of these times. We were alone together, 
Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, Brother James, and 
myself, at the Sea of Tiberius. Peter suggested 
that we go fishing, and we all went and fished all 
night, but caught nothing. As day dawned, we 
were near the shore when we perceived a man 
standing watching us, who, as he saw that we 
noticed him, said, 'Children, have ye any meat?' 
And we said, 'No.' And he said, 'Cast the net on 
the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.' And 
we did so, and the net was instantly filled, so that 
it was too heavy to be drawn into the boat. 
Then I turned and looked again at the strange 
man, and said immediately to Peter, 'It is the 
Lord.' And Peter hastily threw on his fisher's 
coat and cast himself out into the sea, for we were 
near the shore, and waded through the water to 
Jesus; and we drew in the boat, dragging our 
net behind us, and expecting to find it torn by 



"PEACE BE WITH YOU" 261 

reason of its heavy load, but it was not. Then 
we found a fire on the shore, and bread and meat, 
and we did all eat, and Jesus said to Peter, 
'Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than 
these?' Peter said, 'Yea, Lord, thou knowest 
that I love thee.' Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.' 

"Then Jesus saith to him the second time, 
'Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?' Peter 
said, 'Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.' 
Jesus saith unto him, 'Feed my sheep.' 

"Jesus saith to Peter the third time, 'Simon, 
son of Jonas, lovest thou me?' Peter was 
grieved because he said unto him the third time, 
'Lovest thou me?' and he said unto Jesus, 'Lord, 
thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I 
love thee.' Jesus saith unto him, 'Feed my 
sheep.' 

"And then, having given this loving com- 
mand, Jesus signified to Peter that to him it 
would be given to die for his Lord's sake. I do 
not think Peter understood what he meant, but 
turning to me, he perhaps saw in my face that I 
longed for a word from Jesus, and said, 'Lord, 
what shall this man do?' And Jesus said, and as 
he said it his tender eyes were fixed on mine, Tf 
I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to 
thee?' 



262 THE STORY OF JESUS 

*'And indeed I feel, dear ones, that he will 
come soon now, to take me to be with him for- 
ever. 

"Only one more scene: One beautiful day 
Jesus led us out to Bethany, and there he laid 
his hands on us and blessed us, and we knew that 
no more on earth should we behold his face. 
But so much better did we understand him now 
that we neither mourned nor wept, but returned 
to Jerusalem with great joy. 

"And since then, dear children, I have striven 
to do his bidding, and now, too old and feeble for 
any active service, I abide here in the dear home 
where I shall tarry till he comes." And once 
more the old man lifts his hands above the bright 
young heads, and the loving eyes are raised to 
heaven while he blesses them with the old fond 
blessing : "The Lord bless thee and keep thee ; 
the Lord make his face to shine upon thee and 
be gracious unto thee ; the Lord lift up his coun- 
tenance upon thee and give thee peace." 

*After the story of Jesus had been told by 
Grandfather John, the beloved disciple lived yet 
a few years. When too feeble to go to the as- 
sembly, he was still borne thither; unable to 
deliver a discourse, he would lift his trembling 
hands and simply say, "Little children, love one 

*Jerome. 



"PEACE BE WITH YOU" 263 

another," and repeat these words again and 
again. When asked why he constantly repeated 
this expression, his answer was, "Because this is 
the command of the Lord, and nothing is done 
unless this is done." He was of all the disciples 
the only one who died a natural death. He lived 
to be a hundred years old, and was buried in the 
city of Ephesus.* 

Of our other characters, little need be said. 
Joseph, the son of Grandfather John, went away 
even before his father, leaving Mother Ruth to 
the tender care of her children, more especially 
Judith and Andrew. James, with his wife Doris, 
became a missionary, thus fulfilling one of the 
last commands of our Lord : "Go ye into all the 
world and preach the Gospel to every creature," 
and the promise was also fulfilled unto them, 
"Lo, I am with you." 

Alex, with his lovely wife Miriam, remained, 
according to the wish of Grandfather John, to 
preach the gospel in the city of Ephesus, and 
living not far from the home on the hillside where 
dwelt until a good old age Mother Ruth. Alex 
and Miriam were able to assist Judith and An- 
drew in loving ministry unto their beloved 
mother. 

Andrew tilled the olive groves and vineyards 

* Jerome. 



264 THE STORY OF JESUS 

of his father Joseph, while Judith was one of the 
holy women who ministered unto the saints, 
whether they came from Jerusalem or dwelt at 
Ephesus. 

My story is finished. I will only add, in the 
words of Grandfather John, 

^^ Little children, love one another. ^^ 



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DEC 5 1900 



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